Defects of the broad ligament of the uterus

A case of intestinal obstruction resulting from passage of the entire small bowel and cecum and its mesentery through a fenestration in the broad ligament of the uterus is presented. A review of the literature reveals that broad ligament defects may occur in multiple locations, which may be responsible for intestinal obstruction. A simple classification of broad ligament defects is proposed. Type 1 defects occur caudal to the round ligament of the uterus. Type 2 defects occur above the round ligament. Type 3 defects occur between the round ligament and the remainder of the broad ligament, through the meso-ligamentum teres.