Falciform ligament hernia after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a rare case and review of the literature

Abstract

The occurrence of an internal hernia through a congenital or iatrogenic defect in the falciform ligament is extremely rare. In the era of minimally invasive surgery, we present an unusual case of small bowel obstruction after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. An 85-year-old white male presented to the emergency room 2 weeks after an uneventful cholecystectomy and complaining of a colicky, nonradiating right upper quadrant abdominal pain. Hydroxyiminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) performed revealed an open ductal system. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan was suggestive of a high-grade small bowel obstruction. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a herniated loop of distal ileum, passing from right to left through a defect in the falciform ligament created by the subxyphoid trochar. The surgeon should consider dividing the inferior leaf of the free edge of the falciform ligament, including the round ligament, should an aperture be created during laparoscopic port placement.