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Updated: Apr 19, 2026

Laparoscopic Repair of Para-Esophageal Hernia Using Absorbable Biosynthetic Mesh
Published on: September 11, 2021
[Congenital trans-mesenteric hernia with incarceration in a five-year-old boy]
Sophie Bjørnstrup Kristiansen1, Pia Hedegaard Johnsen, Thorbjørn Sommer
1Organkirurgisk Afdeling, Regionshospitalet Randers, Skovlyvej 1, 8930 Randers. piajohns@rm.dk.
Insights
A rare internal hernia caused a gastrointestinal emergency in a child, mimicking appendicitis. Prompt surgical intervention involving bowel resection and anastomosis led to an uneventful recovery, highlighting the importance of considering hernias in acute abdominal cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Case Reports
Background:
- Appendicitis is a common cause of acute abdomen in children.
- Internal hernias are a rare but critical differential diagnosis in pediatric acute abdomen.
- Prompt diagnosis and surgical management are crucial for favorable outcomes.
Observation:
- A five-year-old boy presented with symptoms suggestive of appendicitis.
- Diagnostic laparoscopy revealed an incarcerated internal hernia.
- Fifty centimeters of small bowel were found to be ischemic due to the hernia.
Findings:
- Surgical resection of the ischemic small bowel was performed.
- A primary anastomosis was successfully completed.
- The patient experienced an uneventful post-operative recovery.
Implications:
- Internal hernias should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pediatric acute abdomen.
- Early recognition and surgical intervention for internal hernias can prevent significant morbidity.
- This case underscores the importance of a broad diagnostic approach in pediatric surgical emergencies.
Abstract:
This is a case report of a five-year-old boy, presenting with abdominal pain and signs of gastrointestinal emergency imitating appendicitis. Diagnostic laparoscopy revealed an incarcerated internal hernia involving 50 cm of ischaemic small bowel. Bowel resection and primary anastomosis was performed. The post-operative outcome was uneventful. We wish to shed light on a seldom but important differential diagnosis to appendicitis in children, and raise attention to internal hernias in patients presenting with acute abdomen, whether it is due to congenital defects or a post-operative complication.
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