Hematoma of bowel and cellulitis of the abdominal wall complicating herniography.

Two complications of herniography are presented: a hematoma of bowel causing intestinal obstruction, and a cellulitis of the abdominal wall causing septicemia. A technical error probably caused the hematoma and gastroenteritis played a role in the cellulitis. We have now narrowed our indications for herniography. We think it should be reserved for more difficult diagnostic problems such as recurrent inguinal hernia, recurrent hydrocele or eventration of the diaphragm.