Hernia Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Hernia, including details on hiatal, inguinal, umbilical, abdominal, treatment.

Laparoscopic management of an internal double omental hernia: a rare cause of intestinal obstruction.

Talebpour M, Habibi GR, Bandarian F

Department of Surgery, Sina Hospital Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

INTRODUCTION: Internal hernia is a very rare cause of intestinal obstruction (0.2-0.9% of cases), associated with 45% mortality. A review of the literature revealed just eight reported cases of double omental hernia since 1950 of which our patient is the first case successfully treated laparoscopically. CASE PRESENTATION: We report on a 29-year-old man who presented with signs and symptoms of intestinal obstruction. The patient underwent emergent exploratory laparoscopy. This revealed herniation of a 20-cm jejunal loop through the gastrocolic ligament and reemergence through a defect in the gastrohepatic ligament. The strangulated loop was reduced with slight traction, and the defect was repaired. The patient was discharged from hospital in just 5 days' time, and after 6 months of follow-up, the general condition of the patient was normal. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy is a good technique with minimal complications compared with laparotomy. As many cases are missed due to nonspecific signs and symptoms, an urgent laparoscopy or laparotomy is highly recommended in such a situation.

Published 4 May 2005 in Hernia, 9(2): 195-7.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Hernia Research Today. All Rights Reserved.