Laparoscopic treatment of small bowel strangulation caused by an intramesosigmoid hernia and review of literature

An internal hernia is defined as a protrusion of an abdominal viscera through the defects of the gastrointestinal mesentery or peritoneum-lined fossa. Sigmoid mesocolic hernias are an uncommon type of internal hernias, accounting for only 6% of all internal hernias. Furthermore, intramesosigmoid hernia is one of the three subtypes of the sigmoid mesocolic hernias. Internal hernias are potentially fatal conditions with diagnostic challenges. Patients presenting with acute obstruction, no surgical history and no external hernia should receive an urgent CT scan to facilitate early surgery and to minimise the risk of strangulation and bowel resection. Here, we report a case of strangulated small bowel obstruction secondary to an intramesosigmoid hernia with a successful laparoscopic repair. We also present a literature review of all reported cases so far and give an up-to-date perspective on intramesosigmoid hernia.

Congenital Transmesenteric Hernia—Importance of a Timely Intervention

Transmesenteric hernia is a rare cause of small bowel strangulation in adults. Our patient was a 61-year-old previously healthy male, who presented with vomiting and abdominal pain with no surgical history and no trauma in the past. Computed tomography with contrast enhancement was suggestive of superior mesenteric vein (SMV) compression without any obvious cause. The emergency exploratory laparotomy revealed venous congestion of small bowel caused by a transmesenteric hernia with the herniated loop compressing the SMV. On reducing the hernia, complete reversal of the bowel congestion was noted and small bowel resection was averted. A high index of suspicion for a transmesenteric hernia in small bowel obstruction of unknown etiology and a timely surgical intervention are must for a good clinical outcome.

Small Bowel Strangulation due to Right Para-Duodenal Hernia - A Case Report

Para-duodenal hernias are rare causes of intestinal obstruction and strangulation, are difficult to diagnose preoperatively. It is a rare congenital anomaly which occurs due to defect in the rotation of gut. It is usually discovered incidentally at radiological study or at laparotomy. Here we report of right para-duodenal hernia presented in emergency with signs and symptoms of acute intestinal obstruction. Pre-operative Computer Tomography cuts show hernia sac, filled with loops of small bowel crowded in the right hypochondrium suggesting the rare diagnosis of Waldeyer’s hernia. He required resection of the gangrenous segment and primary anastomosis. The mouth of the sac was obliterated with suturing to the posterior abdominal wall. The patient was discharged uneventfully on 7th post-operative day.

Death caused by appendicular knotting and small-bowel strangulation in a child: A case report and review

Acute appendicitis is one of the most common surgical emergencies in paediatrics. However, acute appendicitis in early infancy is an uncommon condition. Furthermore, strangulation of the small intestine through appendicular knotting is described as very unusual in the literature and is generally not well-diagnosed in the clinical context. This article reports the case of a 23-month-old girl who entered the emergency department with a three-day history of abdominal symptoms and who died in less than 24 hours without receiving surgical intervention. The case turned judicial at the request of the parents who claimed lack of clarity in the diagnosis. A medico-legal autopsy was ordered to clarify the cause and manner of death. The autopsy documented herniation, strangulation and torsion of a 70 cm segment of the jejunum/ileum through an appendicular knot caused by the attachment of the distal end of the inflamed appendage to the ileum. The case is relevant because it is the first case of death by appendicular knot and strangulation of small bowel in an infant reported in the literature. The importance of autopsy to clarify the clinical diagnosis is noted.

Acquired transdiaphragmatic hernia: an unusual cause of cardiac tamponade

Transdiaphragmatic peritoneopericardial hernia is a rare complication after peritoneopericardial window formation, coronary artery bypass grafting using the gastroepiploic artery, or subxiphoid epicardial pacemaker insertion. We describe two different clinical presentations of transdiaphragmatic peritoneopericardial hernia in patients who had undergone recent heart transplantation. One was an exceptional case of cardiac tamponade caused by small bowel strangulation through a diaphragmatic defect.