Internal hernia through the mesenteric opening after laparoscopy-assisted transverse colectomy

Abstract

We report a case of a rare complication in laparoscopic colectomy. A 55-year-old woman underwent a laparoscopy-assisted transverse colectomy for transverse colon cancer. On the 5th postoperative day, she developed bowel obstruction. Decompression by a long intestinal tube failed to resolve the bowel obstruction. She underwent operative intervention. Abdominal exploration showed jejunal loop caused by a strangulation forming on an internal hernia through the mesenteric opening at the anastomotic colonic stumps, which had not been sutured during the previous operation. Our experience might indicate the need for closure of small mesenteric opening after laparoscopic colectomy.