Obstructed Paraduodenal Hernia

An incarcerated paraduodenal hernia of a malrotated gut in a 26-year-old man

Introduction and importance: Paraduodenal hernias (PDHs) are congenital internal hernias. Overall, internal hernias are between 0.2 % and 0.9 %, while 53 % of these statistics are for PDH. There are left and right types of PDHs.

CASE PRESENTATION

An otherwise healthy 26-year-old man was presented with a sudden-onset epigastric and right upper quadrant abdominal pain. Abdominopelvic double contrasted CT scan revealed multiple dilated proximal-mid small bowel loops in the portal venous phase consistent with small bowel obstruction, suggesting concomitant bowel malrotation with internal paraduodenal hernia. The patient with the pre-operative diagnosis of small bowel obstruction due to volvulus was scheduled for emergency surgery. He was four weeks complication-free in his regular follow-up.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

In 1857, Treitz first described PDH as a phenomenon when the primitive midgut in embryonic life abnormally rotates and causes mesocolic hernia. The location of the duodenal recess is the origin point for describing the hernia; thus, the jejunum is the most common herniating viscus. However, the stomach, small intestine, and sometimes the colon usually consist of the contents of the hernia.

CONCLUSION

In the absence of surgical history, abdominal wall hernia, and intra-abdominal inflammatory disease, in case of repeated abdominal pain or intestinal obstruction, and if no other causes are found, the possibility of a PDH should be kept in mind.

Beyond the Common: A Case Report on Right Paraduodenal Hernia

Paraduodenal hernias, particularly those on the right side, are rare but clinically significant occurrences characterized by the abnormal protrusion of abdominal contents through mesenteric defects adjacent to the duodenum. These hernias result from embryologic malformations and can lead to complications such as intermittent abdominal pain, nausea, and, in severe cases, bowel obstruction. This case describes a 48-year-old male who presented with a 24-hour history of colicky abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant, associated with nausea. Further investigation, including a computed tomography scan, revealed a right paraduodenal hernia with herniation of small bowel loops through a mesenteric defect. Timely surgical intervention via laparoscopic exploration confirmed the diagnosis and facilitated the reduction of herniated bowel, followed by meticulous repair of the mesenteric defect using nonabsorbable sutures. The patient's recovery was uneventful, with a return to normal bowel function, and postoperative follow-up showed the resolution of symptoms. This case underscores the clinical complexity and management challenges associated with right paraduodenal hernias. Surgical intervention, guided by laparoscopic exploration, emerged as an effective and minimally invasive approach. The successful reduction of herniated small bowel loops and meticulous closure of the mesenteric defect contributed to a favorable postoperative course, highlighting the importance of timely intervention to prevent complications.

Large left paraduodenal hernia with intestinal ischemia: a case report and literature review

A left paraduodenal hernia is a rare type of internal hernia but the most common type of peritoneal recess hernia. Preoperative diagnosis of a left paraduodenal hernia is difficult because of its nonspecific clinical manifestations, and it is often confused with other causes of acute abdomen. Diagnosis is therefore often delayed, resulting in serious clinical outcomes. We herein report a case of a large paraduodenal hernia with small intestinal obstruction and ischemia without abdominal pain. The patient was successfully discharged after emergency hernia repair. This case reveals the importance of diagnosing a left paraduodenal hernia with or without abdominal pain, especially in patients with no history of abdominal surgery.

Paraduodenal hernias: a systematic review of the literature

PURPOSE

Paraduodenal hernias (PDH), also called mesocolic hernias, account for up to 53% of all internal hernias, but they cause only 0.2-0.9% of all cases of intestinal obstruction. This is the first systematic review of all reported cases so far, investigating their clinical presentation, radiological imaging, and treatment outcomes.

METHODS

After a detailed search in PubMed and Medline, using the keywords "paraduodenal hernia", 115 studies matched our criteria. A review of these reports was conducted and the full texts were examined.

RESULTS

A total of 159 patients were included in our analysis, with 69.8% and 30.2% of them suffering from either a left or a right PDH, respectively. Mean age at diagnosis was 44.1 years, with a 2/1 male/female ratio. PDH were associated with non-specific symptoms and signs; abdominal pain being the most common. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen was the most frequently used diagnostic modality. Regardless of PDH localization, all patients were operated on, with approximately one-third of them undergoing a laparoscopic operation, which was associated with a significantly decreased morbidity rate as well as length of hospital stay, compared with the open repair.

CONCLUSIONS

PDH are not usually associated with specific symptoms and signs; thus, they constitute a diagnostic challenge, requiring a high level of knowledge and clinical suspicion. Undoubtedly, CT scan of the abdomen is the gold standard diagnostic tool. Their operative repair is mandatory, with the laparoscopic approach demonstrating significant advantages over the open repair, seeming to be the optimum treatment strategy.