Case report of traumatic abdominal wall hernia caused by seat belt

RATIONALE: Traumatic abdominal wall hernia (TAWH) is a rare form of hernia that is caused by disruption of the abdominal wall musculature and fascia. The diagnostic criteria and classification of TAWH are still unclear; furthermore, the ideal timing and method of surgical treatment are still unclear. Herein, we report a case of TAWH and describe the surgical approach used. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 71-year-old Han Chinese female presented for swelling in the right lower abdominal quadrant. The patient underwent exploratory laparotomy because of a car collision before 1 year ago. DIAGNOSIS: She was finally diagnosed with TAWH according to the abdominal computed tomography (CT) and surgery. INTERVENTIONS: She was performed with an open surgery to repair the TAWH. OUTCOMES: The patient was discharged without complications and showed no recurrence or complications during a follow-up period of 6 months. LESSONS: TAWH is a rare form of hernia that presents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. The appropriate timing and approach of surgical treatment for TAWH depend on a case-by-case basis. This case highlights that delayed selective surgery may be more suitable for stable patients.