A case report of incisional hernia through a 5-mm lateral port site following laparoscopic right ovarian cystectomy

Abstract

We report a case of postoperative bowel obstruction with early onset hernia presenting through a 5-mm port. A 43-year-old woman having undergone laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy 2 days before presented with features of intestinal obstruction in the form of persistent abdominal pain, vomiting, and inability to pass stool or flatus. Computed tomography scan of her abdomen showed collapsed large bowel and a loop of small bowel protruding through the lateral 5-mm sheath defect. A secondary laparoscopic procedure allowed both confirming diagnosis and surgical repair of the hernia. Our case describes this rare complication through a 5-mm lateral port, with complete bowel obstruction, in the absence of any of the recognized risk factors following a straightforward short surgical procedure, performed as an open laparoscopy with the sample retrieved through the 10-mm trocar. Body mass index was normal, with no significant health problems preoperatively. © 2009 Springer-Verlag.