Drain site hernia in an adult: a case report

Surgical drains, as useful as they are, have been noted not to be without complications. Small bowel herniation through a previous drain site is a rare complication of abdominal drain insertion.

To report a case of strangulated hernia through a drain site.

A 46-year-old civil servant was referred to our hospital from a general hospital with a two-week history of progressive abdominal pain and bulge in the right lower quadrant. She was evaluated clinically as with an ultrasonography. Results of tests indicated a laparatomy.

She had a previous abdominal drain insertion when she had an emergency exploratory laparatomy for perforated typhoid enteritis in the same hospital 20 years prior to presentation. Exploratory laparatomy done revealed gangrenous loops of small bowel that herniated through a previous drain site with interstitial spread. Resection and end-to-end anastomosis was effected and internal end was closed with non absorbable suture (Nylon 1).

Careful insertion and management of surgical drains are necessary so as to prevent hernia complications.