Internal hernia caused by a congenital peritoneal defect in the vesicouterine space

Abstract

Internal hernias are protrusions of viscera that can cause obstructions such as small bowel obstruction (SBO). Diagnosis can be challenging, as they usually come with an atypical presentation. We report on a case of a woman in her early 40s, with no history of surgery or chronic illnesses, which came with abdominal pain associated with vomiting. CT scan revealed obstructed small bowel. On exploratory laparoscopy, an internal hernia through a peritoneal defect in the vesicouterine space was found, entrapping a limb of the jejunum. The entrapped loop of the small bowel was freed, the ischaemic part was resected, and the defect was closed. Our case presents the second reported case of a congenital vesicouterine defect causing SBO. It is important to consider patients presenting with SBO as a case of congenital peritoneal defect if they had no previous surgeries.