[Hernial contusion : a little known lesion (author's transl)].

A personal case and a review of the literature are presented. The clinical picture consists essentially in a persistant pain in the hernia, following a benign trauma to the abdomen, that simulates a false strangulation and a peritonitis. The best diagnostic procedure is a median laparotomy with or without a herniotomy both allowing treatment of the lesions, of which the most common is a rupture of the small bowel on the side opposite to the mesenteron. This complication of a hernia, usually inguinal, often goes unrecognized because it is rare and has therefore a poor prognosis.