A rare complication of inguinal hernia: Small bowel perforation due to falling down while walking

Small bowel perforation can occur either spontaneously or due to traumatic causes. Non-traumatic spontaneous small bowel perforation can be caused by various reasons including infectious, inflammatory, congenital, metabolic, vascular or neoplastic origins. Small bowel injury due to blunt trauma is a rare phenomenon compared to other intraperitoneal organ injuries, and frequently appears in high-energy trauma. Yet, even low-energy trauma can cause small bowel perforation in the presence of an inguinal hernia. Several cases of small bowel perforation after abdominal trauma or direct trauma to the hernia site are previously reported, however perforation of the small bowels following a low-energy trauma, such as a fall while marching, is a rare condition. A 65-year-old male admitted to the ER following a sudden onset of severe abdominal pain after 4hours following a fall while marching. Physical examination revealed a reduced right indirect inguinal hernia. There was diffuse tenderness and defense in the abdomen. The patient was operated due to the acute abdomen after 6hours following a falling down, and primary repair was performed. The patient was discharged on the fifth postoperative day. With this case report, it is aimed to increase the awareness of the surgeons regarding this rare complication.