[Richter's hernia. An unusual disease course and incidence in a personal patient sample]

Richter's hernia is a special type of incarcerated hernia with strangulation of only a part of the circumference of the bowel wall. Diagnosis may be delayed for the frequent absence of intestinal obstruction or the mild local signs especially in the femoral site. Untreated, there may be formation of an abscess without communication to the peritoneal cavity with secondary formation of an enterocutaneous fistula. We describe the history of a 87 years old patient with a femoral hernia and formation of an enterocutaneous fistula 9 months after incarceration. Discussion with review of the literature.