A patient is found to have a Richter's hernia. What is the distinguishing feature of this type of hernia?
- A Two loops of bowel form a W-shape within the hernia sac
- B A Meckel's diverticulum forms part of the hernia sac
- C Only the antimesenteric wall of the bowel is caught in the hernia sac, without complete obstruction ✓
- D The hernia contains omentum only
Correct answer: C. Only the antimesenteric wall of the bowel is caught in the hernia sac, without complete obstruction
Explanation
Richter's hernia involves only a portion (knuckle) of the antimesenteric circumference of the bowel wall in the hernia sac. Because the bowel lumen is not completely occluded, intestinal obstruction may be absent while strangulation of the trapped bowel wall can progress silently to gangrene and perforation. A Maydl's (W-type) hernia involves two loops of bowel in a W configuration with the intervening loop at risk of strangulation. A Littre's hernia contains a Meckel's diverticulum.
Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.