Abstract
Internal hernia is a herniation of a viscus into an unusually large fossa, fovea or foramen within the body cavity, and is rare. This disease often develops into strangulated bowel obstruction, requiring emergent judgement. We experienced six surgical cases of internal hernia, from 2005 to 2011. All cases complained of intestinal obstruction symptoms, such as abdominal pain, vomiting, abdominal fullness, and subsequently underwent computed tomography (CT) scans. Three cases were diagnosed as internal hernia preoperatively based on abdominal CT. Emergent operations were carried out in five cases because of a diagnosis of strangulated intestinal obstruction.
Two cases of corrected strangulated intestine managed the hernial orifice with a laparoscopic procedure. One case required intestinal resection. It is difficult to diagnose internal hernia preoperatively. However, abdominal CT scan is useful for preoperative and immediate diagnosis of internal hernia, thereby enabling us to perform minimally invasive treatments.
