This hernia passes through the obturator foramen, following the path of the obturator nerves and muscles. Because of its anatomic position, this hernia presents more commonly as a bowel obstruction than as a protrusion of bowel contents. This term refers to the ability to return the contents of the hernia into the abdominal cavity, either spontaneously or manually. An incarcerated hernia is no longer reducible. Vascular supply of the bowel is not compromised.
Bowel obstruction is common.
A strangulated hernia occurs when vascular supply of the bowel is compromised secondary to incarceration of hernia contents. Indirect inguinal hernias are the most common hernias in both men and women. A hernia can lead to an incarcerated and often obstructed bowel. The hernia also can lead to strangulated bowel with a compromised blood supply. Ensuing surgery to repair the hernia or its complications may leave the patient at risk for future hernias or intraabdominal adhesions.