Intestinal obstruction caused by intraoperative mass reduction of an incarcerated inguinal hernia--report of a case.

Now that inguinal hernia repair is a feasible and safe procedure, mass reduction of an incarcerated inguinal hernia, usually resulting from forceful taxis during non-operative manual reduction, has became a rare occurrence. We present an even rarer complication: intraoperative mass reduction of an incarcerated inguinal hernia. Following herniorrhaphy, the patient was initially well, but symptoms of intestinal obstruction appeared gradually, and he presented with intestinal obstruction 2 weeks after herniorrhaphy. Imaging studies aroused suspicion of mass reduction and surgery confirmed the diagnosis. We highlight some peculiar physical findings and remind readers of the existence of such a rare complication, which can occur following herniorrhaphy, and be masked by a short period of symptomatic relief.