Transmesosigmoid hernia: report of a case and review of the literature.

We report a case of a transmesosigmoid hernia in a 6 weeks postpartum woman. We found 14 previous reports of this rare type of internal hernia. Our patient presented with acute abdominal pain and developed a small intestinal obstruction. History, clinical and radiographic examination were not diagnostic. An early laparoscopy was performed and a herniation of a small intestine loop through a hole in the sigmoid mesocolon was seen. The hernia was reduced and the defect in the sigmoid mesocolon was closed laparoscopically. The small intestine was viable and enterectomy could be avoided. The role of laparoscopy and potential causes of this type of hernia are discussed.