Total small bowel strangulation: a case report.

A case of strangulation of the entire small intestine caused by an internal incarcerated hernia is presented. At laparotomy the small intestine was severely discoloured, paralytic and the viability of the bowel was questionable. No resection was performed. At a second laparotomy 10 h later the intestine was hyperaemic and exhibited lively motor activity. Recovery was complete. The importance of prolonged conservative management in avoiding extensive resection is stressed.