Case report of laparoscopic reduction of retro-ureter incarcerated small bowel obstruction

We report a case of small bowel herniation caused by the ureter in a woman who underwent radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer. Patient concerns: A 53-year-old woman presented with acute abdominal pain and vomiting and reported a history of radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer 6 years prior to presentation. Diagnoses: Computed tomography revealed segmental luminal dilatation of pelvic ileal loops, 2 transition zones with the beak sign in the left-sided pelvic cavity, and reduced enhancement of bowel loops. Hydronephrosis with abrupt luminal narrowing of the left distal ureter was also observed. Interventions: Exploratory laparoscopy revealed incarcerated bowel segments beneath an adhesive band. We did not immediately cut the adhesive band and continued to trace the course of the small bowel and attempted reduction of the hernia. Reduction of the hernia was not difficult; therefore, the entire small bowel could be disentangled from the pelvic adhesions without any small bowel injury. After reduction of the herniated small bowel, we could confirm that the adhesive band was the left ureter (ureteral peristalsis was observed). The reduced segments of the small bowel appeared viable, and resection was not required. Outcomes: The patient was discharged 2 days postoperatively without any complication. Lessons: Cutting band during adhesiolysis enables release of bowel obstruction. However, owing to the different types of internal hernias that are known to occur,...
Source: Medicine - Category: Internal Medicine Tags: Research Article: Clinical Case Report Source Type: research