Background: Internal herniation through the foramen of Winslow is a rare cause of bowel obstruction. The presented case illustrates this condition and considerations made regarding treatment.
Case presentation: An elderly woman was admitted to the hospital with sudden onset of epigastric pain and vomiting. Blood tests were normal except for a lactate value of 2.5 mmol/L (normal value < 1.8). Computer tomography showed internal herniation of the caecum through the foramen of Winslow. Initial treatment with intravenous fluids, a nasogastric tube and fasting did not resolve the bowel obstruction. The herniated caecum was laparoscopically reduced, and there were no signs of intestinal ischaemia.
Interpretation: Internal herniation through the foramen of Winslow is rare. There are no evidence-based guidelines on treatment, or on prophylactic measures to prevent recurrence. Both laparoscopic and open surgical approaches have been reported, with or without closure of the foramen. There is little documentation on recurrence rates.