2 ACUTE PEDIATRIC ABDOMINAL CATASTROPHES FROM STRANGULATED LEFT PARADUODENAL HERNIAS

We present two eases of catastrophic intestinal obstruction from to st rangulation of a left paraduodenal hernia (PDH), PDH is the most commo n internal hernia. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential because of the high morbidity and mortality associated with strangulation. Ea rly involvement of the surgical team without an overly extensive evalu ation in the emergency department is important if this diagnostic susp icion exists. PDH should also be considered when there is a history of chronic, intermittent abdominal pain of unclear cause. To our knowled ge, these cases are the first described cases of sudden demise within a few hours of onset of symptoms of a left PDH.