Intersigmoid internal hernia – A rare etiology of small-bowel obstruction

Abstract

Internal hernias account for only a small percentage of all instances of intestinal obstruction. Hernias which result from defects or abnormalities of the sigmoid mesocolon are among the rarer types of internal hernia. When untreated, they have been reported to have a high overall mortality. Due to a lack of specific clinical manifestations, they are usually diagnosed late. In addition, evaluation and imaging studies can also be nonspecific. The possibility of sigmoid mesocolon hernia should be considered in patients presenting with symptoms of progressive or persistent small-bowel obstruction without a previous history of surgery or abdominal inflammation as it is associated with a high incidence of strangulation. Without a heightened awareness and understanding of this hernia, it can always be misdiagnosed, with subsequent significant morbidity and mortality. Here, we report a case of acute intestinal obstruction secondary to sigmoid mesocolon hernia.