Peritoneal encapsulation: presenting as small bowel obstruction in an elderly woman.

Editor, Small bowel obstruction is one of the common surgical emergencies. It is most often due to adhesions following previous operations or obstructed hernias. Peritoneal encapsulation is one of the very rare causes of intestinal obstruction, often diagnosed at laparotomy. This condition is largely asymptomatic and found incidentally at laparotomy or autopsy. Only a few cases have been reported in the literature and presentation as bowel obstruction is extremely rare. We report a case of peritoneal encapsulation presenting as a small bowel obstruction following herniation of the bowel loop through the sac in an elderly woman. Awareness of this condition will facilitate proper management.