Retrocecal hernia: A case report

Retroperitoneal Retrocecal hernias are a rare variety of internal hernias and represent an unusual cause of bowel obstruction. Early diagnosis is based on CT scan and requires knowledge of the pathology in order to avoid small bowel resection. We report a case of retrocecal hernia treated surgically and review the characteristics and treatment of retrocecal hernias in the literature.

Our work is a retrospective case report with a descriptive aim concerning a patient operated for retrocecal hernia within the department of general surgery of CHU Ibn Rochd Casablanca.

A 72-year-old man presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain and vomiting that have been evolving for 9 days complicated by an occlusive syndrome 36 hours before the admission. The patient was apyretic, and the abdominal examination noted abdominal meteorism predominantly in the right iliac fossa, absence of abdominal scarring, and free hernial orifices. The abdominal X-ray showed air-fluid levels and the abdominopelvic CT scan found clumping of the dilated small intestines posteriorly and below the cecum. The diagnosis of retrocecal hernia was suspected and the patient was taken to the operating room. The operation was performed by laparotomy through a midline incision. On exploration, the cecum and ascending colon were pushed forward and viable bowel loops were incarcerated in a fossa located posteriorly and below the cecum. The procedure consisted of a collapse of the retrocecal ligaments by right coloparietal collapse.

A bowel obstruction in an apyretic patient without abdominal scarring or parietal hernia should suggest the diagnosis of internal hernia, which must be investigated.