Internal Hernia Through a Congenital Defect in Broad Ligament: A Rare and Elusive Cause of Intestinal Obstruction

Abstract

Internal hernias through a defect in the broad ligament is an uncommon cause of intestinal obstruction and most often the finding is intra-operative. What makes it rare is when the hernia occurs through a congenital defect in the broad ligament. We present the case of a 48-year-old female patient operated on an emergency basis for intestinal obstruction and intra-operatively the cause was identified to be a herniated ileal loop through a defect in the broad ligament. There was no history of any prior abdominal surgery or any interventions and all of her children were born by normal vaginal delivery, making it a case of congenital broad ligament defect. The postoperative period was uneventful and she was discharged in good health.

Case report: Emergency management of unilateral herniation of bowel and a bilateral defect of the broad ligament in a resource limited setting

“…BLH is defined as an abnormal defect in the broad ligament leading to protrusion of mainly the small bowel; the causes of BLH can be categorized as either congenital or acquired which may include previous abdominal surgery, trauma, multiparity, and trauma during delivery, which may occur unilaterally or bilaterally, however, bilateral occurrence is rarely reported [ 4 , 5 ]. Our patient most probably presented with BLH secondary to unknown trauma in her sequential vaginal deliveries or as a congenital hernia.…”

Quain Hernia Masquerading as Mesenteric Ischemia

“…Broad ligament defects can either be congenital or acquired. Acquired lacerations of the broad ligament can occur due to iatrogenic injury during cesarean section, rapid labor, instrumental deliveries, or trauma [ 4 ].…”