Bicycle-handlebar hernia: a rare traumatic abdominal wall hernia

Abstract

Handlebar hernia is a rare, traumatic, abdominal wall hernia caused by high-velocity direct trauma. It involves disruption of the abdominal wall muscles, with bowel loop herniated through the defect in the abdominal wall, and may have major or even lethal complications. We report a case of bicycle-handlebar hernia in a 9-year-old boy who had all layers of his abdominal wall disrupted by a fall when bicycling; however, his skin and intra-abdominal organs were completely intact. Computed tomography demonstrated subcutaneous intestinal loops protruding through the rent. Primary repair was performed, and his postoperative course was uneventful.