A Richter's hernia is best described as:
- A A hernia containing a Meckel's diverticulum
- B A hernia in which only a portion of the bowel circumference is caught in the hernial sac, without causing complete bowel obstruction ✓
- C A hernia containing the appendix
- D A sliding hernia involving the urinary bladder
Correct answer: B. A hernia in which only a portion of the bowel circumference is caught in the hernial sac, without causing complete bowel obstruction
Explanation
A Richter's hernia involves only the antimesenteric wall of the bowel becoming entrapped in the hernia sac; because the bowel lumen is not completely occluded, there may be no classic signs of bowel obstruction even though strangulation and perforation can occur. This danger makes it treacherous: symptoms of obstruction are absent until gangrene sets in.
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.