554 An Unusual Case of a “Hernia Within a Hernia” Resulting in Small Bowel Obstruction and Strangulation
Abstract 59-year-old female presented with symptoms of small bowel obstruction. She had a history of previous open right hemi-colectomy. She also had a previous complex strangulated ventral hernia which had required laparotomy and repair. Following this the patient had recurrence of the ventral hernia. Examination demonstrated a non-tender irreducible recurrent ventral hernia in a patient with a high BMI (> 40). CT reported a midline hernia containing dilated small bowel loops. Additionally, there was a separate narrower hernia arising from the original larger hernia containing a strangulated loop of small bowel. Emergency laparotomy was performed. At operation there was a large hernia containing a smaller secondary hernial defect. Within this secondary defect, there was a loop of jejunum with a constriction band. which was released. There was no vascular compromise to the bowel and no need for resection. The hernial sac was excised and the abdominal wall repaired. Post-operative recovery was uneventful. Discussion The patient had a known, recurrent wide necked ventral hernia. However, this was the first presentation of the new, smaller hernia. This case is unusual in that it demonstrates a multi-locular “hernia within a hernia”. Although multi-locular hernias have been previously described, there is a paucity of literature on these. Conclusions This “hernia within a hernia” is an uncommon surgical finding for which there is limited literature. Clearly without urgent surgical intervention there would be an increase in morbidity and mortality.