Drain-site hernia causing small-bowel strangulation in a 57-year-old man with gastric cancer 6 months after gastrectomy in India: a case report

Drain‑site hernias are an uncommon but potentially life‑threatening complication following abdominal surgery. We report the case of a 57‑year‑old man with a prior distal gastrectomy who developed acute intestinal obstruction and bowel gangrene due to herniation through a previous drain site. For several months he had a persistent, nontender swelling in the same region that was assumed to be a seroma. He later presented with sudden pain and obstructive symptoms; imaging revealed a small‑bowel loop herniating through an abdominal wall defect. Emergency laparotomy confirmed a strangulated hernia containing nonviable bowel, which was resected. Fascial closure was performed using interrupted sutures. This case highlights the importance of recognizing delayed complications at drain sites and underlines the value of early imaging. Careful drain management, including use of the smallest effective calibre and timely removal, remains critical in preventing such rare but serious postoperative events.