A 55-year-old man with a large irreducible inguinal hernia develops sudden onset central colicky abdominal pain, vomiting, and absolute constipation. On examination, the hernia is tense, tender, and non-reducible. What type of hernia complication has occurred?

• A Incarceration without strangulation
• B Richter's hernia
• C Sliding hernia
• D Strangulation ✓

Explanation

A tense tender irreducible hernia with signs of intestinal obstruction (colicky pain, vomiting, absolute constipation) indicates strangulation, where the blood supply to the hernial contents is compromised. This is a surgical emergency requiring urgent operation to prevent intestinal gangrene and perforation. Simple incarceration involves irreducibility without vascular compromise. Richter's hernia involves only part of the bowel wall and may not cause obstruction.

Reference: Bailey & Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.