A CASE OF LITTRÉ'S HERNIA AT ZINDER NATIONAL HOSPITAL, ZINDER, NIGER

The presence of a Meckel's diverticulum in a hernia sac is known as Littré's hernia. We report a case of Littré's hernia in an 18-year old young man because of the uncommon condition. An 18-year old young patient was admitted to the Emergency Surgical Department of Zinder National Hospital, Zinder, Niger with a painful inguinoscrotal swelling of three days duration. The diagnosis of strangulated right inguinoscrotal hernia was made. At surgery, a Meckel's diverticulum was found at the antimesenteric border of the ileum in the hernia sac, the bowel loop was not viable. Resection of the non-viable ileal loop with the Meckel's diverticulum attached to it was performed with an end-to-end ileal anastomosis. The hernia defect in the groin was repaired according to Bassini procedure. The postoperative recovery was uneventful and the patient was followed up for 5 months without symptoms.

Littre hernia is uncommon and difficult to diagnose; it is often an incidental finding at surgery which should ensure complete resection of the Meckel's diverticulum in order to prevent future complications.