Introduction: Hernia repair is a common procedure performed by general surgeons. Introduced in 1990s, the use of laparoscopic hernia repair has recently increased and, consequently, rare complications previously unknown have been reported.
Presentation of case: A 43-years-old male patient who underwent a transabdominal preperitoneal patch plasty (TAPP) procedure for symptomatic bilateral inguinal hernia. On the sixth postoperative day, the patient was admitted for small bowel obstruction (SBO) and underwent reoperation; the central portion of the peritoneal suture in the left inguinal region was lacerated and a hole in the peritoneum had performed a hernia orifice, causing small bowel occlusion by preperitoneal herniation. After the hernia was released, the peritoneum was closed again and the surgery was completed.
Discussion: SBO after TAPP procedure is a rare complication and should be considered in patients with abdominal pain and vomiting after TAPP procedure.
Conclusion: This complication can be prevented with appropriate peritoneal closure techniques and treated with early laparoscopic surgery.
Keywords: Complications; Inguinal hernia; Laparoscopy; Small bowel occlusion; Transabdominal preperitoneal hernioplasty.
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