[A strangulated perineal hernia. A rare case of intestinal obstruction]

Abstract

A rare case of intestinal obstruction due to strangulated perineal hernia, observed among 533 small bowel obstructions operated since January 1982 until December 1994 (0.2%) is described. Less than 100 cases are reported in literature. The etiologic, anatomical and clinical aspects of perineal hernia are examined. The reported case is of the primitive, congenital type caused by defect of the rectovaginal fascia fusion, in correspondence of the Douglas. Preoperative diagnosis is very difficult. Strangulation of this type of hernia is rare, the hernial sac surrounding tissue being elastic. In case of strangulation, symptoms of intestinal obstruction appear. In the reported case the preoperative diagnosis was "acute abdomen", because there was defence in hypogastrium and in the right iliac fossa. A straight abdominal radiography has not been performed. In the reported case the patient, a 22-year-old woman, was promptly operated and the incarcerated intestinal loop released. A regular postoperative period followed. The importance of a complete clinical examination, of a straight abdominal radiography and of a promptly performed operation is underlined.