Conversion From Open to Laparoscopic Surgery in Strangulated Hernia Repair: Toward a Gold Option Proposal

Strangulation is a common presentation of acute abdominal wall hernias that usually requires emergency surgery. The aim of this report is to propose a "reverse strategy" combining an open mesh-based anterior approach followed by a "conversion" to laparoscopy for the treatment of strangulated hernias.

A 68-year-old male patient came to the emergency room of our university hospital with a non-reducible left groin hernia. The CT scan demonstrated a left groin strangulated hernia with doubtful viability of the involved bowel loop. We decided to perform a transversal inguinotomy followed by a laparoscopic approach through the inguinal ring.

The patient was discharged after four days in perfect general condition, with normal bowel function and no postoperative pain.

We propose this unconventional conversion from open to laparoscopic surgery as a new indication for the laparoscopic approach in emergency hernia surgery. We hope it can be used as a gold option for the surgical treatment of strangulated hernia in selected cases.