[Blunt hernia trauma with ileal perforation and incidental finding of Taenia saginata infestation].

Taking as their starting point the observation of a patient with blunt trauma of a voluminous inguinoscrotal hernia and with peritonitis due to perforation of the small bowel within the hernia, the Authors illustrate the aetiological, pathogenetic and physiopathological mechanisms of "seat belt syndrome". In the case described, they postulate that the incidental presence of taenia saginata in the small bowel lumen contributed considerably to the rupture. They then go on to focus on the difficult clinical diagnosis of this pathology and analyze its treatment. In view of the direct correlation between the prognosis and the therapeutic interval, they stress that resorting to diagnostic laparotomy in doubtful cases is a rational course of action. Laparoscopy today also constitutes an effective diagnostic and therapeutic option.