Adult Bochdalek hernia incarcerated after laparoscopic nephrectomy: a case report

Adult Bochdalek hernia (BH) is rare and often asymptomatic, but it can occasionally lead to life-threatening complications such as bowel obstruction or strangulation. Latent BHs may become clinically apparent following abdominal surgery, possibly due to increased intra-abdominal pressure or postoperative anatomical changes. We report the case of an 81-year-old man who developed an incarcerated left-sided BH after laparoscopic nephrectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma. The patient presented with acute bowel obstruction caused by herniation of the transverse colon into the thoracic cavity and required emergency surgery. This case highlights the potential for asymptomatic BHs to progress after minimally invasive surgery and raises the question of whether elective repair should be considered in selected high-risk adult patients. This emphasizes the importance of early recognition.