Strangulated Small Bowel Obstruction Secondary to Adhesions at the Peritoneal Suture Site after Laparoscopic Transabdominal Preperitoneal Inguinal Hernia Repair —A Case Report—

Abstract

We present a case of strangulated small bowel obstruction in an 80-year-old man who underwent left inguinal hernia repair in March 2017 using the transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) approach. No complications were reported after TAPP repair, and he was discharged after postoperative day 2. He returned 1 year and 5 months later with left-sided lower abdominal pain. Computed tomography revealed strangulated small bowel obstruction that necessitated emergency surgery. Strangulated small bowel obstruction was caused by adhesions observed at the site of peritoneal sutures, and no other adhesions were identified. Resection of the strangulated bowel segment and adhesiolysis were performed, and an adhesion barrier was applied to the suture site. Notably, adhesions at the site of peritoneal sutures may occasionally cause small bowel obstruction. It is recommended that an adhesion barrier be applied to the site of peritoneal closure.