Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Case Reports
. 2012 Dec 11;2012(12):rjs016.
doi: 10.1093/jscr/rjs016.

Caecum herniation through the Foramen of Winslow

Sarah F Powell-Brett  1 , James T Royle  2 , Timothy Stone  3 , Rob G Clarke  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Caecum herniation through the Foramen of Winslow

Sarah F Powell-Brett et al. J Surg Case Rep. .

Abstract

Foramen of Winslow herniation is a rare occurrence with a high mortality; it presents a diagnostic challenge with subtle clinical and radiological features. We present a case of caecal herniation through the foramen of Winslow creating a closed loop obstruction which remained undiagnosed until laparotomy. Reduction was achieved with gentle traction after first decompressing the caecum whilst still within the lesser sac.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1:
Figure 1:
Abdominal X-ray showing dilated viscus in the right upper quadrant, initially reported as large distended stomach, in retrospect thought to be the caecum.
Figure 2:
Figure 2:
Axial section through upper abdomen showing (A) distended caecum and (B) behind the stomach.
Figure 3:
Figure 3:
Coronal section showing part of the colon passing behind the portal vessels (C) and a distended caecum in the lesser sac (D).
Figure 4:
Figure 4:
Terminal illeum disappearing behind the portal vessels, inferior to the gallbladder and into the lesser sac.
Figure 5:
Figure 5:
Having opened up the lesser sac, the distended herniated portion of caecum can be seen about to needle decompressed under cover of a purse string suture.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Martin LC, Merkle EM, Thompson WM. Review of internal hernias. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2006;186:703–17. - PubMed
    1. Sved PD, Peck N, Smith RC. Laparoscopic diagnosis and management of foramen of Winslow hernia—case report. Minim Invasive Ther. 1996;5:575–6.
    1. Osvaldt AB, Mossman DF, Bersch VP, Rohde L. Intestinal obstruction caused by a foramen of winslow hernia. Am J Surg. 2008;196:242–4. - PubMed
    1. Moynihan BGA, Dobson JF. On Retroperitoneal Hernia. 2nd edn. London: Wood; 1906. pp. 127–8.
    1. Heathwood CM, Strong R, Borton MM, Reasbeck PG. Foramen of Winslow hernia. Aust N Z J Surg. 1987;57:875–7. - PubMed

Publication types