Acute blunt traumatic abdominal hernia.

A rare childhood case of acute blunt traumatic abdominal hernia in which the colon and jejunal loops herniated into a large subcutaneous pocket in front of the sternum is presented. Considerations in diagnosis and management are discussed. Emergency laparotomy is indicated after confirmation of the diagnosis by radiologic modalities. Thorough abdominal exploration is warranted to rule out associated injuries. Reduction of the herniated bowel into the abdomen, debridment of the nonviable tissue, and primary tension-free closure of the defect is the appropriate treatment.