Abdominal cocoon: idiopathic sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis.

Abdominal cocoon, or idiopathic sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis, is a rare condition characterised by the presence of a dense fibrocollagenous membrane partially or totally encapsulating the small bowel leading to recurrent intestinal obstructions. We present the case of a patient who has presented for the fourth time with a small bowel obstruction. Previous laparoscopy revealed a plaque-like reactive process encapsulating much of the small bowel and the liver.