Delayed diagnosis of small bowel obstruction following laparoscopic lymph node dissection.
Laparoscopic surgical procedures are infrequently complicated by bowel herniation through unsutured trocar sites. Nevertheless, there is a risk of this complication in patients presenting with symptoms of small bowel obstruction after laparoscopy. We present a case of delayed small bowel obstruction due to a Richter's hernia, a rare type of hernia that involves incomplete protrusion of bowel wall through a surgical defect. Knowledge of this potential complication of laparoscopic procedures may prevent the significant morbidity that results from mechanical small bowel obstruction with necrosis.
Van Deusen
Shawn
S
Department of Emergency Medicine, New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, New York 11215, USA.
Birkhahn
Robert H
RH
Gaeta
Theodore J
TJ
Bove
Joseph J
JJ
D000368:Aged; D006547:Hernia / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology*; D059685:Herniorrhaphy; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors