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Updated: Jul 6, 2026

05:07
Multimodality Diagnosis of Mesenteric Ischemia
Published on: July 21, 2023
Massive mesenteric ischemia resulting from a giant strangulated umbilical hernia
Mario Testini1, Rinaldo Marzaioli, Angela Gurrado
1Section of General and Thoracic Surgery, Department of Applications in Surgery of Innovative Technologies, University of Bari, Bari, Italy. mario.testini@tin.it
International Surgery
|April 11, 2008
Summary
This case report details a rare giant strangulated umbilical hernia causing intestinal obstruction in a 73-year-old woman. Surgical repair involved extensive bowel resection and stoma creation, with the patient surviving long-term.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Oncology
Background:
- Hernia repair is a common surgical procedure.
- Giant abdominal hernias are rare in Western countries.
Observation:
- A 73-year-old woman presented with intestinal obstruction due to a giant strangulated umbilical hernia.
- Clinical and radiological exams revealed an enormous hernia with acute abdomen, atrial fibrillation, and pulmonary edema.
Findings:
- Emergency laparotomy identified a large peritoneal sac with massive mesenteric ischemia.
- The patient underwent near-total small bowel resection, right colectomy with double terminal stomas, and direct hernia repair without mesh.
Implications:
- This case highlights the successful management of a rare, life-threatening condition.
- It demonstrates the feasibility of complex reconstructive surgery for giant hernias.
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