A hernia is a condition in which tissue from inside the abdomen bulges out through a weak spot in the muscles of the abdominal wall. A strangulated hernia occurs when the tissue gets trapped very tightly in the hernia and its blood supply is cut off.

A strangulated hernia is rare but can cause severe bleeding, death of the tissue (gangrene), and serious bacterial infection of the blood (septicemia).

Immediate surgery is always needed for a strangulated hernia.