Strangulated interstitial interparietal hernia following lower segment caesarean section: a case report

Interparietal hernias are rare and occur most commonly in the long-term postoperative setting following abdominopelvic surgery. This case report describes the development of a strangulated interparietal hernia through a defect in the posterior rectus sheath 4 days post-lower segment caesarean section (LSCS) in a 36-year-old female. Whilst she had an acute abdomen, she did not have a palpable incisional hernia. Her interparietal hernia was identified via a computed tomography scan of her abdomen and pelvis. She underwent a midline laparotomy where ischaemic small bowel was found within her hernia. This was resected and she had an unremarkable recovery. This case is the first of its kind and highlights the diagnostic challenge of interparietal hernias in acute postoperative patients as well as the importance of having a low threshold for suspicion for complicated interparietal hernias in patients with an acute abdomen following LSCS.