Hernia repair
Strangulated hernia — emergency surgery
When a loop of bowel becomes trapped in a hernia and loses its blood supply. This is an emergency, and it is operated on urgently rather than scheduled.
In plain language
What this operation is
A hernia becomes strangulated when tissue pushes through the gap, gets caught, and its blood supply is cut off. Without blood, the trapped bowel begins to die within hours.
The change is usually clear. A hernia that could previously be pushed back becomes firm and will not reduce. The pain becomes constant and severe rather than a dragging ache. Vomiting often follows, and the abdomen may swell as the bowel obstructs. The skin over the swelling can become red or discoloured.
This is not a situation to manage at home or to wait out until a chamber appointment. It needs a hospital the same day.
Who it is for
When this operation is advised
- A hernia that has become firm and cannot be pushed back in
- Constant, severe pain over the swelling rather than a dragging ache
- Vomiting, or a swollen abdomen with no passage of wind or stool
- Redness or discolouration of the skin over the hernia
- Fever alongside any of the above
And when it is not. This page describes an emergency. If it matches what is happening now, please go to a hospital rather than continuing to read.
How it works
From assessment to follow-up
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01
Immediate assessment
Examination, blood tests and imaging where it will not delay treatment. Time matters here more than completeness.
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02
Resuscitation
Fluids, pain relief and often a tube to decompress the stomach before surgery.
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03
Emergency operation
The hernia is opened and the trapped contents assessed. If the bowel is healthy it is returned; if a segment has died it must be removed.
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04
Repair and recovery
The defect is repaired, and recovery in hospital is longer than after a planned operation.
Afterwards
What recovery involves
Recovery differs between patients. What follows is what usually happens — your own timeframe is given at discharge, based on the operation you actually had.
- Hospital stay is longer than after a planned hernia repair.
- Where a segment of bowel had to be removed, recovery is longer again and eating is reintroduced in stages.
- Wound infection is more of a risk in emergency surgery than in planned surgery.
- Follow-up continues after discharge to check both the repair and the bowel recovery.
When to go to hospital instead
If a hernia is firm, painful and will not go back in — with or without vomiting — go to a hospital now. Do not wait for a chamber appointment, and do not keep trying to push it back.
Common questions
Questions patients ask
Anything not covered here can be answered at the consultation.
01 How quickly does a strangulated hernia need treating?
Within hours. Once the blood supply is cut off the trapped bowel begins to die, and a delay can turn a hernia repair into an operation that also has to remove a segment of bowel.
Urgency02 How do I know it is strangulated and not just painful?
The distinguishing feature is that it will not go back in. A hernia that could previously be reduced becomes firm and irreducible, the pain becomes constant and severe, and vomiting often follows. If in doubt, treat it as an emergency.
Warning signs03 Should I keep trying to push it back?
No. Repeated forceful attempts can cause harm. If it will not reduce easily, go to a hospital.
What not to do04 হার্নিয়া আটকে গেলে কী করব?
হার্নিয়া শক্ত হয়ে গেলে, ভেতরে ঢুকতে না চাইলে এবং প্রচণ্ড ব্যথা বা বমি হলে — সঙ্গে সঙ্গে হাসপাতালে যান। জোর করে চাপ দিয়ে ঢোকানোর চেষ্টা করবেন না। এটি জরুরি অবস্থা, কয়েক ঘণ্টার মধ্যেই অপারেশন দরকার হতে পারে।
জরুরিNext step
Bring your reports to a consultation
Often one visit is enough to know whether an operation is needed at all.