Aspiration pneumonia as a complication of a rare type of hernia

Introduction: Inguinal hernias are a common pathology and can contain unusual abdominal contents; the stomach is only infrequently involved due to its position in the abdominal cavity.

Presentation of case: An 85-year old male patient presented with symptoms of bowel obstruction and was subsequently found to have an incarcerated stomach within his chronic left-sided inguinal hernia. The patient had also developed aspiration pneumonia.

Discussion: Aspiration pneumonia is a yet unreported complication of this unusual type of hernia. Our aim is to describe the presentation and management of this complication.

Conclusion: Development of aspiration pneumonia in a patient with an incarcerated stomach within an inguinal hernia.