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Obstructed hernia

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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An obstructed abdominal hernia is one in which the bowel is trapped and obstructed but viable. The danger is that it will progress to strangulation.

Management might comprise an initial attempt at gentle reduction, i.e.:

  • give analgesia
  • raise the foot of the bed
  • 20 minutes later, attempt to reduce the contents

If this succeeds, operative repair is usually carried out 24-48 hours later, i.e. on the next available theatre list. Emergency surgery is indicated if the hernia is irreducible in order to prevent strangulation.

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The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

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