Xiphoidectomy for xiphoid process-induced pain in a surfer.

A 53-year-old man who had been surfing for more than 30 years was referred to our hospital with upper abdominal wall pain. Computed tomography showed that his xiphoid process was protruding forward and the overlying skin was thickened. We diagnosed chronic abdominal wall pain due to repeated compression between the surfboard and his xiphoid process. To relieve the pain, we performed a xiphoidectomy. The pain resolved after surgery and he resumed surfing 26 days postoperatively. Xiphoidectomy is effective for treating xiphoid process-induced pain in surfers.