Laparoscopic Surgery for an Intussusception Caused by a Lipoma in the Ascending Colon

Abstract

A colonic intussusception caused by an intraluminal lipoma is a rare disease in adults, in whom it usually has a definite organic cause. In fact, it is either caused by a benign or a malignant condition, both of which occur at similar rates. However, little literature is available on laparoscopic procedures for use in cases of adult colonic intussusceptions. Recently, a 52-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with abdominal pain of one-month duration. Abdominal computed tomography showed an intussusception with a fat-containing mass in the right hepatic area. Colonoscopy showed a colon lumen occupied by the mass. A right hemicolectomy was performed laparoscopically, and the cause of the intussusception was found to be a lipoma. Before obtaining histological confirmation, we carefully perform a laparoscopic procedure, which required consideration of the relations between the involved colonic segment and other conditions such as the location of main vessels, the anatomical exposure with respect to colonic mobilization and the location of specimen retrieval.