Laparoscopic management of a small bowel obstruction caused by an unusual pericecal hernia: Case report.

INTRODUCTION: Pericecal hernia is a rare type of internal hernia and may present with unspecific signs and symptoms. Thus, preoperative recognition of pericecal hernias can be challenging and difficult. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of pericecal hernia in a rare location that was managed laparoscopically. A 63-year-old medically free gentleman presented to the emergency room with clinical and radiographic evidence of small bowel obstruction. An abdominal computed tomographic scan showed diffuse small bowel dilation and a transitional zone at the distal illeal loop near the ileocecal junction. The patient was admitted and started on conservative management. Two days later, there was no improvement in the patient's situation, and the patient underwent laparoscopic exploration where part of the distal ileum was seen going through a mesenteric defect superior to the ileocecal valve. The herniated bowel was reduced, and the hernia orifice was closed with sutures. The patient was discharged at day 9 postoperatively with excellent clinical and radiographic findings during the postoperative period. DISCUSSION: Pericecal hernia in the superior ileocecal recess is the least common location for this type of hernia. Previously, laparoscopic management of small bowel obstruction was not recommended. However, recent evidence has shown excellent outcomes of laparoscopic management of pericecal hernia. CONCLUSION: In pericecal hernia, having a high index of suspicion may help prevent delayed diagnosis and management. Laparoscopic exploration is a safe and acceptable modality for the diagnosis and treatment of small bowel obstruction due to pericecal hernias.

Laparoscopic management of cecum and ascending colon hernia through the foramen of Winslow.

Herniation of gastrointestinal structures through the foramen of Winslow is rare, with patients presenting with nonspecific symptoms. We describe a 47-year-old woman who presented with generalized, intermittent, colicky abdominal pain for a duration of 4 days. An abdominal computed tomography scan revealed findings consistent with herniation of the ileocecal junction through the foramen of Winslow. Laparoscopic assisted internal hernia reduction with ileocecal resection and side-to-side ileocolic anastomosis were done. The cecum and terminal ileum were resected due to signs of ischemia. Her postoperative was uneventful, and she was discharged in the second postoperative day. She did not show any signs or symptoms suggestive of complications or recurrence during her follow-up.

A rare case of small bowel obstruction secondary to activated charcoal administration.

Intestinal obstruction is a rare complication of the administration of activated charcoal. We describe a 22-year-old patient who had received multiple-dose activated charcoal for carbamazepine intoxication. The patient presented with sudden-onset abdominal pain after discharge from the emergency room, and abdominal imaging examinations revealed findings consistent with small bowel obstruction. Laparoscopic-assisted exploration of the abdomen was offered, and a hard obstructing charcoal mass was found in the small bowel. Clinicians should be aware of the rare occurrence of gastrointestinal complication or obstruction following the administration of multiple-dose activated charcoal, especially in patients who ingested a drug that is potentially antiperistaltic.

Appendicular schwannoma presenting as vague abdominal pain.

Appendicular schwannomas are very rare condition with nonspecific clinical symptoms and frequently recognized during pathological examination. They arise less frequently in the gastrointestinal tract and comprise ~1% of all malignant gastrointestinal tumours. We presented a rare case of an appendicular schwannoma that was discovered incidentally in a 25-year-old student diagnosed with appendicular mucocoele with a suspected obstructing tumoural lesion based on computed tomography findings. A colonoscopy examination showed a bulging, nodular, erythematous lesion at the base of the caecum (appendiceal orifice). Biopsies showed mixed inflammatory infiltration in the lamina propria, with lymphoid-filled formations. No evidence of dysplasia or neoplasia. Tumour markers were negative. Appendicular neoplasms, such as schwannomas of the appendix, are rarely associated with nonspecific clinical symptoms and are frequently recognized during pathological examination of the resected appendix. Laparoscopic surgery with a clear resection margin is the cornerstone of treatment for appendicular schwannoma, and it is associated with a favourable prognosis.