Background: Intestinal perforation following blunt trauma to the abdomen is a rare but life-threatening complication in patients with pre-existing inguinal hernia.
Material and methods: We examined retrospective case series of patients with intestinal perforation following blunt abdominal trauma.
Results: Within 2 years, three patients with pre-existing inguinal hernia were referred to our clinic following simple falls while cross-country skiing. Upon signs of abdominal tenderness and radiographic evidence of free air, explorative laparotomy with revision of the affected bowel segments was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful in two patients. One developed adhesive ileus and incisional hernia within 1 year.
Conclusions: Intestinal perforation must be suspected in patients with inguinal hernia and signs of diffuse abdominal tenderness following blunt trauma. Urgent explorative laparotomy with revision of the affected bowel segments is mandatory in patients with free abdominal air. Secondary hernia repair may represent the safest and most reliable approach and should be delayed until full recovery from the initial surgery.