Internal Hernia Through a Congenital Defect in Broad Ligament: A Rare and Elusive Cause of Intestinal Obstruction

Internal hernias through a defect in the broad ligament is an uncommon cause of intestinal obstruction and most often the finding is intra-operative. What makes it rare is when the hernia occurs through a congenital defect in the broad ligament. We present the case of a 48-year-old female patient operated on an emergency basis for intestinal obstruction and intra-operatively the cause was identified to be a herniated ileal loop through a defect in the broad ligament. There was no history of any prior abdominal surgery or any interventions and all of her children were born by normal vaginal delivery, making it a case of congenital broad ligament defect. The postoperative period was uneventful and she was discharged in good health.