Sudden Death Due to Spontaneous Small Bowel Perforation within an Incarcerated Umbilical Hernia

Umbilical hernias are estimated to occur in up to 20% of patients with long-standing cirrhosis and ascites. Complications such as strangulation and infarction of the bowel or rupture of the bowel loops and/or hernia sac are uncommon but potentially life-threatening consequences. Often these events happen in association with abdominal trauma or after procedures such as paracentesis. Spontaneous rupture is more likely in cases where strangulation and subsequent necrosis of the bowel has weakened and thinned the incarcerated intestinal wall. We report a case of a 63-year-old male with a history of alcohol abuse complicated by cirrhosis and ascites who was found dead in his home approximately 30 minutes after last being seen alive. He was found at rest in a seated position without evidence of recent trauma. At autopsy, an ulcerated umbilical hernia was present containing a loop of perforated, necrotic small bowel. There was evidence of peritonitis including one liter of yellow-red fluid accumulation in the peritoneal cavity, multifocal areas of fibrinopurulent debris adherent to the small bowel, and a dull gray discoloration to the peritoneal lining. The case was signed out as death due to peritonitis and spontaneous perforation of small intestine due to strangulated and infarcted small intestinal umbilical hernia and the manner, natural. Although spontaneous perforation of the bowel within a hernia sac is uncommon, it may contribute to sudden death in patients lacking a history of trauma or recent medical procedures and physicians certifying these deaths should be aware of the possibility.