A 47-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with generalized abdominal pain for a duration of four days. The pain was intermittent and colicky in nature with a mild response to analgesia. It was associated with vomiting and abdominal distension, with absolute constipation. The patient denied experiencing a similar previous attack. Her medical and surgical histories were unremarkable, and she reported only having an irregular menstrual cycle. She also reported no history of trauma.\nUpon physical examination, the patient was found to have stable vital signs: temperature, 36.7°C; heart rate, 88 beats per minute; and oxygen saturation, 100% room air. An abdominal examination revealed mild abdominal distention with generalized tenderness but no guarding or rigidity; the abdomen was tympanic to percussion, and a digital rectal examination was unremarkable. A provisional diagnosis was made for intestinal obstruction.\nLaboratory investigations, including a complete blood count, urea and analysis, and coagulation profile, were all within normal limits. An abdominal X-ray showed a dilated large bowel with few air fluid levels, no gas in the rectum and no air under the diaphragm (Fig. ). An abdominal CT scan with oral and intravenous contrast showed that the cecum was flipped superiorly and positioned anteriorly to the transverse colon, and it herniated into the foramen of Winslow (opening between the inferior vena cava and portal vein). The cecum occupied the lesser sac, and it was distended with gas and caused a mass effect on the stomach and hepatic root, with associated intrahepatic bile duct dilatation. This was associated with proximal small bowel dilatation and collapsed large bowel loops distally (Fig. ). These findings were consistent with an obstructive internal hernia into the lesser sac through the foramen of Winslow.\nA surgical consultation was requested, and laparoscopic assisted internal hernia reduction with ileocecal resection and side-to-side anastomosis were offered. The cecum and terminal ileum, along with the appendix, had herniated through the foramen of Winslow as evidenced during laparoscopy (Video 1). Both the cecum and terminal ileum were markedly distended and probably less vascularized (Fig. ). Consequently, the cecum and terminal ileum were resected (Fig. ).\nThe patient’s postoperative was uneventful. She was started on a clear liquid diet and then advanced to solid foods by Day 2. The patient was discharged, and she did not show any signs or symptoms suggestive of complications or recurrence during the last follow-up.
A 63-year-old woman with a history of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) associated with a small hiatal hernia presented to the emergency department with severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and obstructive symptoms that had started 12 hours earlier. The pain was epigastric in nature. She reported no passing of flatus or bowel movement for 24 hours prior to presentation. She also reported a history of intermittent abdominal pain and obstipation that would self-resolve without treatment over the last several years. She had no prior surgical history. Her body mass index was 31. She denied any fever, chills, chest pain, or shortness of breath. Her vitals on presentation included a blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg, heart rate of 105 beats per minute, and respiratory rate of 22 breathes per minutes. On physical examination, the abdomen was distended with focal tenderness in the epigastric and peri-umbilical regions. No peritoneal signs were noted.\nLaboratory analysis revealed a leukocytosis to 12.9 K/uL (reference range [RR]; 4.0-10.0K/uL) with an elevation in creatinine to 0.8 mg/dL from 0.4 mg/dL (RR; 0.3 -0.6mg/dL). Her blood urea nitrogen level was elevated to 20 mg/dL from 8 mg/dL (RR; 4 – 8 mg/dL). Her lipase, amylase, and liver function tests were within normal limits. Her lactate level was mildly elevated to 3.0 mg/dL (RR; 0.5-1mmol/L).\nA computed tomography (CT) scan of her abdomen and pelvis revealed a right internal hernia containing cecal bascule herniation through the foramen of Winslow into the lesser sac, concerning for a closed-loop obstruction (). There was fecalization with upstream bowel dilation. There was no evidence of pneumoperitoneum, pneumatosis, or bowel wall compromise. A normal appendix was also noted in the right upper quadrant near the gallbladder.\nThe patient’s symptoms including pain, nausea, vomiting, no flatus or bowel movements, along with her leukocytosis and imaging findings were concerning for an internal hernia with a cecal bascule traversing the foramen of Winslow causing a closed-loop obstruction. The patient was taken to the operating room.\nShe underwent an exploratory laparotomy. After fixed retractors were placed, the appendix was noted to be in the right upper quadrant near the gallbladder and liver edge (). The terminal ileum and transverse colon were noted to be tracking behind the portal triad. Upon closer examination, these structures were noted to be involved in an internal hernia with a cecal bascule herniating through the foramen of Winslow. Adhesions were lysed and the hernia sac was partially excised facilitating reduction of the cecal bascule (). The colon was noted to be viable. After reduction, the hernia sac was fully excised. The right colon mesentery was noted to be highly redundant ().\nGiven the viability of the cecum and right colon, the decision was made to perform a cecopexy rather than right hemicolectomy to minimize the risk of a recurrent internal hernia. An appendectomy was also performed. Omentum was placed near the foramen of Winslow to also help prevent future risk of a recurrent internal hernia. No attempt was made at suture closure of the foramen of Winslow space. The abdomen was closed in the standard fashion.\nThe patient’s postoperative course was uncomplicated. Her pain was well-controlled with oral pain medication. Her diet was advanced in a stepwise fashion. She was able to ambulate independently and void spontaneously upon discharge. The patient was discharged 4 days following her operation. She has also been doing well more than 6 months out from surgery.