Abstract
An internal hernia via a defect in the broad ligament of the uterus is extremely rare. A resection of the intestine during an open procedure is performed in most cases because of the difficulty in making a pre-operative diagnosis. We present a patient that was diagnosed as having an internal hernia via a defect in the broad ligament of the uterus on computed tomography (CT) and was subsequently treated successfully laparoscopically.
The patient was a 47-year-old female. She was admitted to our hospital due to abdominal pain and vomiting. Conservative therapy with a naso-intestinal tube was not effective. Imaging following the introduction of contrast from the tube into the small intestine revealed a stricture in the small intestine at the base of the pelvic cavity. CT showed a stricture in the small bowel caused by the supportive tissue on the right side of the uterus. Given a diagnosis of an internal hernia via a defect in the broad ligament of the uterus, a laparoscopic hernia reduction was successfully performed. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged five days after the operation.
