Previously unrecognized Morgagni’s hernia presenting with bowel obstruction: a rare case report

Abstract

Morgagni’s hernia (MH) is a rare entity, it is defined by the protrusion of abdominal viscera through an anterior retrosternal diaphragmatic defect. It is mainly diagnosed during the perinatal and neonatal periods. A few cases have been reported in adults. The objective of this study was to report the case of a patient with an unrecognized MH, review the current literature on Morgani hernias in the adult population, and assess their clinical characteristics and therapeutic approach reported in adults. We here describe a rare case of a MH presenting with bowel obstruction as the primary symptom in adult life. A 52-year-old man presented to the emergency department with a bowel obstruction. The abdominal CT tomography showed an intestinal bowel obstruction above the hiatal hernia with an intrathoracic ascending colon. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a bilateral strangulated diaphragmatic hernia of Morgagni. The patient underwent closure of the diaphragmatic defect under tension by X-stitch. The recovery was uneventful, and the patient is in good health after 12 months of follow-up. The Morgagni hernias are usually asymptomatic; complications such as strangulation of the herniated colon or herniated stomach by stricture are exceptional. Surgical treatment is always recommended for MH. Postoperative complications are rare in simple diaphragmatic hernias, and the course is generally favorable. MH is the rarest form of congenital diaphragmatic hernia, with nonspecific symptomatology contributing to the delay in diagnosis. The cure is surgical, and the open surgical approach is preferable in emergency cases, while laparoscopic surgery is favored in elective settings and is associated with shorter hospitalization. Further studies are crucial in order to elucidate etiology and optimal therapeutic approach.