It is the protrusion of a segment of the intestine outside the abdomen. It acquires the adjective "strangulated" when the intestine cannot be reintroduced into the abdomen and its internal structure is damaged.
There are hereditary causes (congenital abdominal wall disorder) and other acquired causes (abdominal trauma). Its appearance is favored by obesity, intense physical exercise and chronic constipation.
It manifests as a painful lump in the abdominal wall. The pain usually increases with standing, straining to defecate and with coughing. It may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, tenths of a fever and increased abdominal girth. The most severe cases present with very intense abdominal pain causing hardening of the abdominal wall.
Diagnosis is clinical by questioning and physical examination showing a painful lump that cannot be reintroduced into the abdomen. Imaging tests may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis: X-ray, abdominal ultrasound and/or computed tomography.
It requires urgent surgical treatment, with resection of a segment of bowel on many occasions.
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