Sciatic hernia: a comprehensive review of the world literature (1900–2008)

BackgroundSciatic hernias are considered the rarest pelvic floor hernias, with a very limited number of published reports worldwide. The condition has received limited attention in the surgical literature.Data sourcesThe data reported herein are based on a literature review including MEDLINE and CURRENT CONTENTS computerized database searches. The existing bibliographies on sciatic hernia were explored for articles pertaining to the review. Finally, the Internet was searched for articles not listed in the available medical databases.ConclusionsSciatic hernia is unusual, and can present the physician with diagnostic and treatment dilemmas. The hernia may present with obscure pelvic pain, intestinal obstruction, life-threatening gluteal sepsis, or as an asymptomatic, reducible mass that distorts the gluteal fold. Small sciatic hernia can remain hidden behind the gluteus maximus muscle. The diagnosis requires imaging studies in such cases. Treatment of sciatic hernia is always surgical and requires prosthetic reinforcement for the best result.