It is the exit of the intestine out of the abdomen, protruding through an orifice located in the lower abdominal wall. The intestine is trapped but there is no compromise of blood circulation.
It can be hereditary or acquired, and there are multiple risk factors that cause an increase in intra-abdominal pressure.
It manifests as a painful lump in the lower abdomen, nausea, vomiting, difficulty in passing gas and a hard abdomen. It may also be accompanied by general symptoms: fever, tachycardia and signs of shock.
Diagnosis is clinical by questioning and physical examination revealing an abdominal bulge impossible to reduce through the hernial orifice. A blood test may show signs of infection, renal failure and shock parameters.
It requires urgent surgical treatment, with resection and splicing of a segment of the bowel in most cases.
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