Richter's hernia through a missed traumatic abdominal wall defect: A rare cause of early postoperative obstruction after trauma laparotomy

A young man with multiple stab wounds underwent emergency trauma laparotomy for penetrating abdominal injury. Initial exploration revealed only an omental tear. The postoperative course, however, was complicated by early intestinal obstruction. Re-exploration revealed a Richter's hernia through a missed traumatic abdominal wall defect. This case highlights a rare but important cause of postoperative obstruction following trauma laparotomy.