Incidental finding and successful management of Larrey's hernia during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Case report

Larrey hernias (LH) are birth defects causing abdominal viscera to protrude into the thoracic cavity. With an incidence of 2-4 %, they are exceptional in adults.

A 65-year-old female patient was admitted for an elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. During history intake, besides biliary colic, no additional symptoms were reported. Physical examination yielded normal results. Chest-X ray did not reveal any anomalies. Intraoperatively, an inspection of the diaphragm revealed a 3 cm defect in the left-sided sternocostal triangle, with the omentum protruding through the thorax. After performing cholecystectomy, the content of the LH was cautiously reduced. The hernia sac was not resected, to prevent potential injury to the neighboring anatomical structures. The defect was closed using non-resorbable interrupted sutures. The postoperative course was uneventful. No recurrence was detected during follow-up.

LH diagnosis is challenging due to its unspecific symptoms. Only 10 % of patients are asymptomatic. CT imaging establishes a positive diagnosis and identifies acute complications requiring emergency management.

Asymptomatic LH cases mandate surgery. Laparoscopic management is safe and efficient. The trans-abdominal approach offers easier access to hernia content. Hernia sac resection is still debatable. The selection of defect closure technique hinges on the quality and elasticity of the tissue, as well as the size of the defect, all under the unwavering banner of the tension-free principle. Literature remains conflicting on mesh use.