Abstract
Background
Spontaneous rupture of an abdominal hernia is very rare and usually occurs in incisional or recurrent groin hernia. It is a potentially fatal but preventable clinical condition demanding emergency surgery to prevent further obstruction, strangulation of bowel and to cover its contents to prevent fistulisation. It should be managed by primary repair if there is only minimal contamination, and by secondary repair if grossly contaminated.
Case report
We present the case of a 55-year-old lady admitted to the surgery department with ruptured incisional hernia and evisceration of the small gut through the lower half of an infraumbilical vertical scar from a total abdominal hysterectomy performed six years earlier.
Results
After dealing with the exposed contents, the gap in the rectus sheath was repaired anatomically by multiple ‘X’ sutures with no. 1 polypropylene [1]. After an uneventful recovery, the patient was discharged on the eleventh postoperative day. After one year of follow-up, no complication or recurrence has been noted.
Conclusion
Early surgical correction is the treatment of choice in the case of ruptured incisional hernia. Timely surgical intervention is always recommended in cases of incisional hernias to prevent this rare but potentially fatal complication.
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Roy, A., Acharya, A.N. Spontaneous rupture of incisional hernia–A rare entity. Hellenic J Surg 87, 482–484 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13126-015-0262-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13126-015-0262-x