Internal hernias occur when there is protrusion of an internal organ into a retroperitoneal fossa or a foramen (congenital or acquired) in the abdominal cavity. The internal hernia can occur after major abdominal procedures such as Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LGBP) which has been shown to be an effective treatment for morbid obesity, both in terms of weight loss and improvement in multiple comorbidities. The internal hernia can result in small bowel obstruction, ischemia, or infarction and often requires an operation.
Laparoscopic Internal hernia repair is similar to other laparoscopic procedures. General anesthesia is given, and a small cut is made in or just below the navel. The abdomen is inflated with air so that the surgeon can see the abdominal organs. A thin, lighted scope called a laparoscope is inserted through the incision. The instruments to repair the hernia are inserted through other small incisions in the lower abdomen. The procedure involves reduction of the incarcerated bowel and closure of the defect. Any non-viable bowel must be resected.