Internal hernia after trans-abdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) hernia repair: A case report

Hernia repair is a common procedure performed by general surgeons. Introduced in 1990s, the use of laparoscopic hernia repair has recently increased and, consequently, rare complications previously unknown have been reported.

A 43-years-old male patient who underwent a transabdominal preperitoneal patch plasty (TAPP) procedure for symptomatic bilateral inguinal hernia. On the sixth postoperative day, the patient was admitted for small bowel obstruction (SBO) and underwent reoperation; the central portion of the peritoneal suture in the left inguinal region was lacerated and a hole in the peritoneum had performed a hernia orifice, causing small bowel occlusion by preperitoneal herniation. After the hernia was released, the peritoneum was closed again and the surgery was completed.

SBO after TAPP procedure is a rare complication and should be considered in patients with abdominal pain and vomiting after TAPP procedure.

This complication can be prevented with appropriate peritoneal closure techniques and treated with early laparoscopic surgery.