Internal hernia through the falciform ligament: a rare cause of intestinal obstruction

Internal hernias are a rare cause of acute intestinal obstruction. Hernias through the falciform ligament is uncommon. Diagnosis is often made intraoperatively. Abdominal CT scan, performed in an emergency situation, can enable preoperative diagnosis and guide the therapeutic approach. In this respect, we here report a case whose data were collected in the Department of Visceral Surgery at the University Hospital Hassan II in Fez. The study involved a 48-year old patient, with no particular previous history, admitted to the Emergency Department with occlusion evolving over 4 days. Abdominal x-ray without treatment objectified multiple hydroaeric levels in small bowel some of which projected towards the hepatic region as well as the presence of a flat intestinal loop in continuity with distended intestinal segment. Abdominal CT scan was not performed due to altered renal function. The patient then underwent emergency surgery after stabilization of his condition and the diagnosis of internal hernias through the falciform ligament was made intraoperatively. In adults, internal hernia through the falciform ligament is a rare cause of acute intestinal obstruction in our daily practice. The diagnosis is most often made intraoperatively. It is necessary to suspect it in young patients with no history of abdominal surgery or intraperitoneal infectious process and with hydroaeric levels in the right upper quadrant.