Incarcerated Epigastric Hernia Causing Gastric Outlet Obstruction: A Case Report

Introduction: Elective repair of epigastric hernia is a frequent minor surgical procedure. In most cases the hernial content is pre-peritoneal fat.

Presentation of case: We report a case of a patient with epigastric hernia containing part of stomach and duodenum presenting as gastric outlet obstruction.

Discussion: Epigastric hernias are often asymptomatic and rarely contain viscera, but when symptomatic and recurrent, high index of suspicion is required to rule out visceral involvement.

Conclusion: The presence of distal part of stomach and duodenum within an epigastric hernia is a very rare finding and surgeons should look out for atypical presentations in acute or chronic presentations of this seemingly ‘simple’ hernia.