A 57-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital because of abdominal pain and an abdominal tumor in the umbilical region. White blood cell count and CRP were elevated. Abdominal simple X-ray films showed distension of the small intestine and computed tomography revealed the intestine and fat tissue incarcerated into subcutaneous space of the umbilical region. It was diagnosed as incarcerated umbilical hernia and an emergency operation was performed. Partial resection of the intestine had to be done, because 7 days had passed after the onset of the incarceration. Postoperative course was uneventful and she was discharged from the hospital 15 days after the operation.
In a review of the Japanese literature in a recent one decade, 11 cases of incarcerated adult umbilical hernia, including our case, have been reported. Some bibliographical notes are also presented.