Abdominal wall pseudohernia following video-assisted thoracoscopy and pleural biopsy

A rare case of pseudohernia of the abdominal wall following video-assisted thoracoscopy (VAT) and pleural biopsy in a 61-year-old male is presented. The patient presented with a recurrent pleural effusion following fractured ribs after a road traffic accident. Computerised tomography (CT) showed thickened pleura, which was biopsied using VAT. Access to the pleural cavity was obtained with two laparoscopic ports inserted at the 8th intercostal space on the posterior chest wall. Following the procedure, the patient experienced sharp pain over the right hypochondrium, which was followed by the development of a diffuse bulge associated with the loss of skin sensation. Ultrasound and CT disclosed no musculofascial defect. Electromyography showed denervation changes affecting the muscles innervated by the 8th intercostal nerve. With expectant treatment over a year, cutaneous sensation recovered partially; however, the size of the pseudohernia remained unchanged. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of a pseudohernia in the English literature following VAT and pleural biopsy.