Strangulated bowel obstruction secondary to a pericecal hernia: A case report

Abstract Internal hernias are a rare cause of acute intestinal obstruction, accounting for approximately 5.8% of all cases. Pericecal hernias, the second most common type of internal hernia, remain challenging to diagnose preoperatively, owing to the lack of specific clinical signs. Abdominal computed tomography is an essential examination, as it allows the diagnosis of acute intestinal obstruction, especially its etiology and signs of severity, such as intestinal ischemia. We report a case of a 35-year-old man who presented with small bowel obstruction with suspicion of pericecal hernia. An emergency laparotomy confirmed the diagnosis of a retrocecal hernia with the identification of four loops of ischemia requiring resection. Our case highlights the importance of considering this diagnosis in cases of acute abdominal pain, especially in acute intestinal obstruction, and emphasizes the crucial role of surgery in confirming the diagnosis, preventing complications, and treating the obstruction.