title: Giant congenital mesenteric hernia in the adult.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Internal hernia is a visceral protrusion through a defect or aperture, either mesenteric or peritoneal and is an uncommon cause of intestinal obstruction. Within this group, the congenital mesenteric (transmesenteric) hernia is extremely rare, being more common in the pediatric population.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To present the case of a 38-year-old woman with intestinal obstruction and acute abdomen who underwent surgery. A giant mesenteric (transmesenteric) hernia was found. The hernia was reduced and the defect closed. Discharge was made without complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Congenital mesenteric hernias are an infrequent pathology that may cause intestinal obstruction, predominantly in the pediatric population. Occurrence in adults is extremely rare.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, The American British Cowdray Medical Center, Mexico City, Mexico. zerrweck@yahoo.com
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zerrweck
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Sánchez
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Posada
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cervantes
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D046449:Hernia, Abdominal / Q000150:complications / Q000151:congenital* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology; D008643:Mesentery; D010532:Peritoneal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000151:congenital* / Q000601:surgery*