Richter's hernia

Last reviewed 01/2018

Richter's hernia occurs when there is a strangulated hernia involving part of the circumference of the bowel wall. It does not affect the passage of bowel contents through the bowel lumen. Hence, despite strangulation, there is an absence of intestinal obstruction.

Preoperatively, it is important to mark where the patient feels pain; otherwise, the small hernia may be hard to find during surgery.