A CASE OF INCARCERATED INGUINAL HERNIA OF THE SIGMOID COLON MANAGED WITH COLONOSCOPIC DECOMPRESSION

Abstract

A 75-year-old man developed incarcerated inguinal hernia of the sigmoid colon while he was admitted for transient cerebral ischemic attack. Decompression of the hernia sac using colonoscopy led to notable shrinkage of the hernia sac and manual reduction was successfully achieved. He could undergo elective surgery for hernia repair, avoiding emergency surgery. Incarcerated inguinal hernia is an indication for urgent surgery, but various comorbidities pose a serious risk especially among elderly patients. This procedure made it possible to have an elective surgical option avoiding emergency surgery, and has rarely been reported thus far. We present this case with a review of the literature.