Parapubic hernia: case report and review of the literature.

Parapubic hernia is considered rare, with 18 hernias described in five articles published since 1971. The hernia results from iatrogenically or traumatically detached rectus abdominis muscles at the pubic bone and presents a therapeutic challenge because there is no strong aponeurotic anchoring structure in the defect's caudal aspect. We describe a patient with a large parapubic hernia repaired by a combined preperitoneal and onlay prosthetic method. This report adds another dimension to the prosthetic repair options in parapubic hernias and illustrates the effectiveness of the tension-free repair principle in their definitive management.