[Acute pancreatitis caused by a voluminous umbilical hernia. Case report]

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Abdominal Surgery

Background:

• A 65-year-old woman with a long-standing giant umbilical hernia presented with cerebrovascular ischemia.
• During hospitalization, she developed acute pancreatitis, with no identifiable common causes like gallstones or alcoholism.

Observation:

• Endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography revealed the pancreatic head, antrum, and duodenum incarcerated within the umbilical hernia.
• The patient experienced intermittent passage of the pancreatic head through the hernia due to chronic traction on the ligament of Treitz.

Findings:

• The giant umbilical hernia was identified as the cause of acute pancreatitis through mechanical incarceration.
• This represents a previously undescribed mechanical etiology for acute pancreatitis.

Implications:

• Highlights a rare mechanical complication of giant umbilical hernias.
• Suggests considering abdominal wall defects in the differential diagnosis of pancreatitis, especially in recurrent or unusual cases.