Maydl's hernia (Hernia-in-W) is a rare type of

hernia A hernia is the abnormal exit of tissue or an organ, such as the bowel, through the wall of the cavity in which it normally resides. Various types of hernias can occur, most commonly involving the abdomen, and specifically the groin. Groin hern ...

and may be lethal if undiagnosed. The hernial sac contains two loops of bowel with another loop of bowel being intra-abdominal. A loop of bowel in the form of 'W lies in the hernial sac and the centre portion of the 'W loop may become strangulated, either alone or in combination with the bowel in the hernial sac. It is more often seen in men, and predominantly on the right side. Maydl's hernia should be suspected in patients with large incarcerated herniae and in patients with evidence of intra-abdominal strangulation or

peritonitis Peritonitis is inflammation of the localized or generalized peritoneum, the lining of the inner wall of the abdomen and cover of the abdominal organs. Symptoms may include severe pain, swelling of the abdomen, fever, or weight loss. One part or ...

. Postural or manual reduction of the hernia is contra-indicated as it may result in non-viable bowel being missed. It is named after Czech surgeon

Karel Maydl Karel Maydl (10 March 1853 – 8 August 1903) was an Austrian surgeon who was a native of Rokytnice nad Jizerou, Bohemia. In 1876 he received his medical doctorate at Prague, and following graduation was a surgical assistant to Carl Wilhelm Hei ...

References

{{reflist Hernias