Complicated right-sided Bochdalek hernia in an adult

Bochdalek hernias on the right side of the diaphragm are very rarely diagnosed in adults. We report a case of a 52-year-old female patient, who presented to the emergency department with acute intestinal obstruction. Plain and cross-sectional imaging identified a large right-sided Bochdalek hernia containing small bowel loops and the right colon. A laparoscopic approach was performed. The herniated intestinal loops and the right colon were reduced into the abdominal cavity. The diaphragmatic defect was closed using clips with reinforcement by a prosthetic polypropylene mesh. A mini median laparotomy was performed to ensure the viability of the bowel and a few stitches were inserted on superficial lesions of the serosa. The recovery was uneventful and the patient was discharged from the hospital 6 days after admission. Nine months later the patient is doing well.