TRANSOMENTAL HERNIATION CAUSING ACUTE INTESTINAL OBSTRUCTION

Internal Herniation is an unusual cause of intestinal obstruction(1) first described by Steinke(2) in 1932 The incidence of Internal Hernia amongst Acute Intestinal Obstruction in the adult population has been reported as around 0.6-5.8%(3) and amongst these, transomental hernias account for about 1-8.9%.(4,5) They can be congenital or acquired (Trauma, inflammation, age related atrophy.(2,6)) There are multiple sites where herniation can occur. There are no specific investigations to rule out internal hernias and should be considered a possibility in cases of acute intestinal obstruction. This patient was operated on early after presentation of acute symptoms and so recovered without any immediate or late post-operative complications.