irreducible hernia

Irreducible hernia: is one which cannot be pushed back into the abdomen by applying manual pressure.

An irreducible hernia may strangulate, i.e. the contents of the sac of the hernia may be constricted so that the circulation is cut off thus leading to gangrene and eventually perforation of the bowel (a surgical emergency).

There are three types of hernias, reducible hernia, where it's possible to push the testicles back into the abdomen, irreducible hernia, where adhesions prevent returning the contents to the abdomen, and the most dangerous, strangulated hernia, where the blood flow through the hernia is shut off, damaging the intestines.