Laparoscopic Management of a Small Bowel Herniation from an Ileal Conduit: Report of a Case and Review of the Literature

Bladder carcinoma can be treated with cystectomy and urinary diversion. Ileal conduit is a popular technique, originally performed with closure of all mesenteric and peritoneal defects to minimize internal herniation. Recent advances in laparoscopic and robotic techniques often leave these defects open. We present a case of a 75-year-old gentleman with a small bowel entrapment underneath an intraperitoneal ileal conduit and ureter causing obstruction. This internal hernia occurred 2 months after undergoing a DaVinci robotic-assisted laparoscopic cystoprostatectomy with an ileal conduit. Bowel obstruction is an important complication associated with the need for reoperation and patient mortality. Historical review shows a precedent for closure of the mesenteric defect, obliterating the peritoneal defect in the right lumbar gutter, and suturing the ileal conduit to the posterior peritoneum to prevent potential internal hernias. The literature involving ileal conduits is examined for consensus on the preferred method of treating these potential spaces.