Laparoscopic management of small bowel incarceration caused by a broad ligament defect: report of a case

We report the case of a 94-year-old woman who presented with signs of a small bowel obstruction many years after an appendectomy. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan showed discontinuity of the small bowel at a point next to the uterus. We made a provisional diagnosis of an internal hernia through a defect in the broad ligament and performed laparoscopic exploration, which revealed a viable ileal loop incarcerated through the broad ligament. Thus, CT scan may be useful for diagnosing this type of defect preoperatively, whereby open surgery can be avoided.