
Large congenital mesenteric defect presenting in an adult
Author(s) -
Zia Ur Rehman,
Sadaf Khan
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the saudi journal of gastroenterology/saudi journal of gastroenterology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.608
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 1998-4049
pISSN - 1319-3767
DOI - 10.4103/1319-3767.65193
Subject(s) - medicine , internal hernia , bowel obstruction , mesentery , abdominal pain , surgery , volvulus , ileum , ascending colon , mesenteric ischemia , hernia , radiology , ischemia
Congenital internal hernia is a rare cause of bowel obstruction in adults and often presents with complications. A high index of suspicion, occasionally aided by appropriate radiological imaging, should lead to early surgical intervention and thus reduce morbidity and mortality. We describe a case of a 27-year-old woman who presented with upper abdominal pain and nonspecific abdominal signs. Computed tomography showed features of bowel ischemia which prompted surgical intervention. On exploration, she was found to have a large mesenteric defect with herniating ileum and ascending colon. A segment of gangrenous small bowel was resected. The mesenteric defect was repaired and the bowel tacked down to prevent volvulus. The patient made an uneventful recovery.