Strangulated Internal Hernias Presenting as Acute Abdomen - A Case Series

Hernia is an abnormal protrusion of an organ or tissue through a defect in its surrounding walls. It can be divided into internal, external and diaphragmatic hernias. Most of them can be asymptomatic. If they become symptomatic they can present with features of intestinal obstruction, incarceration or strangulation. In this case series we compare the incidence of these rare presentations of hernias with world literature and to warn surgeons not to cut the obstructing band in cases of internal hernias. In this case series, we review the clinical details of 6 rare presentations of hernia, who presented with various types of hernias to JSS Hospital Mysore over a period of 3 years (2014-2016). Of these 6 cases there were 4 left paraduodenal hernias, 1 right paraduodenal hernia and 1 foramen of winslow hernia. All of them presented as acute abdomen in the emergency department. Emergency laparotomy was done in all the cases which prevented complications of bowel gangrene.