Two cases of paraduodenal hernia, a rare internal hernia

Paraduodenal hernia is a rare congenital internal hernia which arises from an error of rotation of the midgut with entrapment of the small intestine beneath the developing colon. It is important as it usually presents as intestinal obstruction, and before laparotomy is often misdiagnosed. Mortality increases significantly with delays in surgical treatment. Two cases are presented: an 8 year old boy and a 52 year old man. Both presented with a short history of abdominal pain and an acute abdomen. With prompt surgical treatment, they recovered rapidly.