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Strangulated Hernia

A hernia is a condition in which tissue from inside the abdomen bulges out through a weak spot in the muscles of the abdominal wall. A strangulated hernia occurs when the tissue gets trapped very tightly in the hernia and its blood supply is cut off.

A strangulated hernia is rare but can cause severe bleeding, death of the tissue (gangrene), and serious bacterial infection of the blood (septicemia).

Immediate surgery is always needed for a strangulated hernia.

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer C. Dale Mercer, MD, FRCSC, FACS - General Surgery
Last Revised April 26, 2011

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: April 26, 2011
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