Successful conservative treatment of a bicycle-handlebar hernia: report of a case

Surg Today. 2007;37(4):349-51. doi: 10.1007/s00595-006-3375-6. Epub 2007 Mar 26.

Abstract

Handlebar hernia is a rare type of blunt traumatic abdominal wall hernia (TAWH). It involves a disruption of the abdominal wall muscles, with bowel loop herniation through the defect in the abdominal wall. We report a case of bicycle-handlebar hernia in a 9-year-old boy who had all layers of his abdominal wall disrupted after falling from his bicycle. He was brought to our hospital with lower abdominal pain and bulging. A physical examination revealed left lower quadrant bulging in a standing posture, and a palpable fascial defect, 3 cm in diameter. Computed tomography showed a disruption of the abdominal rectal muscle layer, but his skin and intra-abdominal organs were completely intact. The patient was treated conservatively with abdominal wall compression using a cotton cloth corset. Within 3 weeks, his abdominal wall hernia had healed without the need for any surgical intervention.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Bandages
  • Bicycling / injuries*
  • Child
  • Hernia, Abdominal / diagnostic imaging
  • Hernia, Abdominal / etiology*
  • Hernia, Abdominal / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Radiography
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / diagnostic imaging
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / etiology*
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / therapy*