Combined laparoscopic and thoracoscopic repair of adult right-sided Bochdalek hernia with massive liver prolapse: A case report

Abstract

BACKGROUND A Bochdalek hernia (BH) is a congenital diaphragmatic hernia that often develops in the neonatal period. BH typically occurs on the left side of the diaphragm. A right-sided BH in an adult is rare. CASE SUMMARY A 45-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of an abnormal shadow seen on chest radiography during a medical check-up. A chest radiograph showed elevation of the right hemidiaphragm. Computed tomography showed prolapse of multiple intraabdominal organs into the right thoracic cavity, corresponding to a right-sided BH. The herniated contents included the stomach, transverse colon, and left lobe of the liver. The left lobe of the liver was enlarged, particularly the medial segment. Laparoscopic surgery was performed. However, the left lobe of the liver was completely trapped in the thoracic cavity. Therefore, thoracoscopic manipulation had to be performed to return the liver to the abdominal cavity. The hernia was repaired with interrupted nonabsorbable sutures and reinforced with mesh. CONCLUSION Combined laparoscopic and thoracoscopic surgery was successfully performed for right-sided BH with massive liver prolapse and abnormal liver morphology.