Small bowel obstruction unmasking an internal hernia through a broad ligament defect: a case report

Internal hernias are rare occurrences in which abdominal organs protrude through a mesenteric defect. Among these, herniation through the broad ligament is an especially uncommon type, comprising only 4% of all internal hernias. This condition can present with a wide spectrum of symptoms, ranging from abdominal pain to acute small bowel obstruction. Diagnosis is often difficult due to nonspecific clinical and radiological signs, making the condition a challenge to detect preoperatively. We present the case of a 30-year-old woman who developed an acute small bowel obstruction, identified through a CT scan. Surgical exploration revealed an incarcerated internal hernia passing through a defect in the broad ligament. After releasing the incarcerated bowel and closing the hernial orifice, the patient made a full recovery. This case provides additional insight into broad ligament hernias and the surgical approach to this rare condition.