FIGURE 39.3 Indirect inguinal hernia Incarcerated inguinal hernias are associated with a persistent inguinal mass, significant discomfort, and/or vomiting The mass will fail to reduce spontaneously and very gentle pressure will not be enough to relocate the hernia contents back into the abdominal cavity, placing its contents at risk for ischemia Incarceration is more common in infants: up to one-third of incarcerated inguinal hernias occur in children