A Case of Internal Hernia of the Broad Uterine Ligament That Was Treated by Laparoscopic Surgery

Abstract

Internal hernia of the broad uterine ligament is a relatively rare disease, in which the intestinal tract herniates through a defect in the broad ligament of the uterus. We encountered such a case and performed laparoscopic surgery. The patient was a 41-year-old woman who was transported to our hospital with severe lower abdominal pain and vomiting. Abdominal computed tomography showed dilated segments of the intestine to the left side of the uterus, suggesting that it was not closed bowel obstruction. As the patient complained of persistent, though mild, abdominal pain, we performed laparoscopy, which revealed a defect on the left side of the broad uterine ligament and partially inflamed intestinal loops (reducible hernia). The transiently incarcerated intestine appeared viable, so that we only reduced the hernia and sutured the hernial orifice. Thus, although we made the diagnosis intraoperatively, detection of the characteristic uterine shift due to the entrapped intestine could lead to a preoperative diagnosis and would be helpful for successful management by laparoscopic surgery.