Transmesenteric hernia: a rare case of acute abdominal pain in children: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

In this report, we discuss the case of an 11-year old girl presenting with acute abdominal pain caused by gangrene of a large part of the small bowel. During urgent surgical exploration, the cause of gangrene appeared to be herniation of the small bowel through a congenital defect in the mesentery with subsequent strangulation. A resection was performed leaving the patient with only 130 cm of small bowel remaining. Transmesenteric hernia is a rare type of internal herniation consisting of a small congenital defect in the small bowel mesentery through which the intestine can herniate and subsequently become strangulated. We present a case of transmesenteric hernia with disastrous effects and review the literature regarding this rare type of hernia.

Keywords: Internal hernia; acute abdomen; bowel gangrene; transmesenteric hernia.