Congenital Transmesenteric Hernia-Importance of a Timely Intervention

Transmesenteric hernia is a rare cause of small bowel strangulation in adults. Our patient was a 61-year-old previously healthy male, who presented with vomiting and abdominal pain with no surgical history and no trauma in the past. Computed tomography with contrast enhancement was suggestive of superior mesenteric vein (SMV) compression without any obvious cause. The emergency exploratory laparotomy revealed venous congestion of small bowel caused by a transmesenteric hernia with the herniated loop compressing the SMV. On reducing the hernia, complete reversal of the bowel congestion was noted and small bowel resection was averted. A high index of suspicion for a transmesenteric hernia in small bowel obstruction of unknown etiology and a timely surgical intervention are must for a good clinical outcome.