What is hernia strangulation?

Dead Bowel: A hernia is a hole in the abdominal wall thru which the inner layer of the abdominal cavity protrudes, creating a sac. Bowel can potentially get stuck, or "incarcerated" within the hernia. If the blood supply gets kinked and/or the bowel twisted, it can die, creating a "strangulated obstruction" of the bowel. This is a surgical emergency requiring bowel resection.

Bad news: A hernia is a hole in the abdominal wall, through which can protrude intraabdominal organs such as the intestines. If the organs protruding through the hole get their blood supply cut off due to swelling or twisting, gangrene can develop in a matter of hours. This is what is meant by a strangulated hernia. It requires emergency surgery to avoid death.