An unusual hernia complication: a late presentation
Neeraj Purohit1, Roshan Drabu, John Lankester
1Surgical Department, Luton and Dunstable Hospital, Luton, UK. neerajpurohit@hotmail.com
Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England
|March 10, 2007
Insights
A misplaced surgical suture caused a localized cecal perforation in a 67-year-old man with a history of inguinal hernia repair. This rare complication necessitated a right hemicolectomy to address the intestinal damage.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Complications
- Abdominal Surgery
Background:
- A 67-year-old male experienced chronic right iliac fossa pain for a decade.
- Past medical history included an inguinal hernia repair performed 10 years prior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare case of cecal perforation due to a misplaced surgical suture.
- To highlight the diagnostic and management challenges of delayed suture-related complications.
Main Methods:
- Patient underwent diagnostic investigations followed by exploratory laparotomy.
- Surgical findings revealed a localized cecal perforation attributed to a misplaced prolene suture.
- A right hemicolectomy was performed for definitive treatment.
Main Results:
- A localized perforation of the cecum was identified as the cause of the patient's long-standing pain.
- The perforation was directly linked to a prolene suture used during a previous inguinal hernia repair.
- Successful right hemicolectomy resolved the acute condition.
Conclusions:
- Misplaced sutures from prior surgeries can lead to delayed gastrointestinal complications like cecal perforation.
- This case underscores the importance of meticulous surgical technique and awareness of potential long-term suture-related issues.
- Prompt surgical intervention is crucial for managing such rare but serious complications.
Abstract:
A 67-year-old man presented with a 10-year history of intermittent right iliac fossa pain. His only significant past medical history was an inguinal hernia repair 10 years ago. After investigations, the patient underwent a laparotomy. He had a localised caecal perforation secondary to a misplaced prolene suture. A right hemicolectomy was performed.
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