Bowel obstruction due to incarceration in inguinal hernia

Case contributed by Domenico Nicoletti
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Severe abdominal pain

Patient Data

Age: 65 years
Gender: Male

Mechanical small bowel obstruction due to right sided indirect inguinal hernia. Incarceration of distal ileal loop with distension of small intestine and multiple air-fluid levels. Small amount of liquid in the right inguinal canal surrounding the herniated loop.

No detectable sign of bowel ischemia.

 

Case Discussion

A hernia is defined as being incarcerated when the intestine remains trapped inside the hernial defect and no longer able to return to the natural cavity. An incarcerated hernia, if untreated, can become a strangulated hernia.

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