A case of spontaneous reduction of incarcerated inguinal hernia caused by Meckel's diverticulum.

Abstract

Inguinal hernias with a Meckel's diverticulum are called Littre hernias and are rare diseases. In many cases, symptoms of incarceration or intestinal obstruction are present, and emergency surgery is generally required. However, imaging diagnosis and clinical symptoms are similar to those of incarceration of inguinal hernias, making preoperative diagnosis difficult. In most cases, diagnosis is made during emergency surgery. A 54-year-old man with abdominal pain was found to have a right-sided incarcerated inguinal hernia on abdominal computed tomography. The incarceration spontaneously reduced, although a Meckel's diverticulum was discovered during emergency laparoscopic surgery for an inguinal hernia. Mesh repair and Meckel diverticulotomy were performed. In cases of inguinal hernias due to a Meckel's diverticulum, it is difficult to diagnose a Meckel's diverticulum as the cause without exploring the intestine, although laparoscopic hernia repair is useful to investigate this possibility.