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Incarcerated Inguinal Hernia Containing a Gallstone Found Decades After a Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Catlin Orschel1, Lauren Gammel1, Sheree A Bray1
1Surgery, East Tennessee State University, Quillen College of Medicine, Johnson City, USA.
Cureus
|October 4, 2023
Summary
A rare case of a gallstone within an incarcerated inguinal hernia causing small bowel obstruction highlights the importance of preventing gallbladder perforation during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Prompt retrieval of spilled gallstones is crucial to avoid such complications.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Complications
- Abdominal Surgery
Background:
- Iatrogenic gallbladder perforation during laparoscopic cholecystectomy can lead to gallstone spillage.
- While often asymptomatic, spilled gallstones can cause rare but serious complications.
Observation:
- A 96-year-old female presented with an incarcerated inguinal hernia and small bowel obstruction.
- Imaging revealed a radiopaque foreign body within the hernia sac.
- A single gallstone was found within the hernia sac during surgical repair.
Findings:
- The gallstone within the hernia sac was confirmed by pathology.
- Hernia repair and resolution of small bowel obstruction were achieved postoperatively.
- This case represents a rare instance of gallstone-induced hernia and obstruction.
Implications:
- Highlights the potential for long-term complications from retained gallstones after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
- Emphasizes the critical need for meticulous surgical technique to prevent gallbladder perforation and ensure complete gallstone retrieval.
- Underscores the importance of considering unusual causes for abdominal pathologies, even in elderly patients with prior surgical history.
