Prolapsed Epiploica of Colon Presenting as a Vaginal Polyp After Robotic Hysterectomy: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Abstract

BACKGROUND Hysterectomy is a gynecological procedure that can lead to complications arising from structural changes incurred during the surgical process. Vaginal nodules may appear at the vaginal cuff after hysterectomy, which could be indicative of recurring cancer, endometriosis, or formation of fistulae or granulation tissue. In rare instances, abdominal organ prolapse occurs after vaginal cuff dehiscence. Prolapse of the terminal ileum is the most common type of prolapse from vaginal cuff dehiscence, but prolapsed epiploica of colon after hysterectomy occurs in rare instances. Epiploic appendages are a type of fatty tissue attached to the colonic surface that can become inflamed or necrotic and detach from the colon. The purpose of this report is to describe a rare case of prolapsed epiploica of colon at the vaginal cuff. CASE REPORT A 55-year-old woman who had robot-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy for endometrioid carcinoma presented with a vaginal polyp 2 months after surgery. Histological analysis of the excised polyp revealed adipose tissue with fat necrosis and calcification, indicative of prolapsed epiploica of colon. This is the first report of post-hysterectomy epiploica of colon at the vaginal cuff not associated with obvious dehiscence. CONCLUSIONS This case highlights the importance of thorough histological analysis of excised vaginal nodules and consideration of prolapsed epiploica of colon in the differential diagnoses in addition to benign and malignant vaginal neoplasms.