Massive Abdominal Wall Abscess in a Chronic Irreducible Epigastric Hernia Containing the Transverse Colon
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: Epigastric hernias typically contain preperitoneal fat, while the involvement of the transverse colon is an exceptionally rare clinical entity. We report a unique case of a 56-year-old patient presenting with a massive abdominal wall abscess complicating a long-standing, irreducible epigastric hernia. Clinical and radiological evaluation via computed tomography (CT) revealed that the chronic hernia sac contained the transverse colon, surrounded by an extensive fluid collection, without evidence of acute incarceration or frank bowel perforation. Emergency surgical intervention confirmed the presence of a viable transverse colon within the sac. The abscess was likely the result of chronic inflammation or subclinical micro-perforations. The procedure involved thorough abscess drainage, debridement, and successful reduction of the transverse colon back into the peritoneal cavity, followed by primary fascia repair. This case emphasizes that neglected, irreducible epigastric hernias can lead to severe infectious complications even in the absence of acute strangulation, necessitating a high index of clinical suspicion and prompt surgical intervention.
Source: Cureus
Language: English
Topic: Hernia repair and management
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7160845119