A strangulated internal hernia behind the external iliac artery after a laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy

Abstract

An internal hernia associated with intra-abdominal blood vessels after a pelvic lymphadenectomy is very rare; to our knowledge, only 1 case has been reported to date. We report a case of a strangulated internal hernia of the small bowel behind the external iliac artery that occurred 3 months after a laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy in a patient with cervical cancer. Retroperitonealization after the pelvic lymphadenectomy should be considered in patients with tortuous, elongated external iliac arteries that could be causal lesions of an internal hernia.