Secondary Signs of Intestinal Obstruction Caused by Para- Umbilical Hernia Through Screening Ultrasound.

Screening ultrasound plays a crucial role in emergency services, offering a rapid and accurate method for detecting definitive signs of intestinal obstruction, such as paralytic ileus or mechanical blockage. Its portability, real-time imaging capabilities, and lack of radiation make it ideally suited for peripheral emergency health services with limited technical and human resources.
Ultrasound triage, when performed by qualified professionals such as radiology diagnostic and therapeutic technicians with a university-level education and both theoretical and practical training in ultrasonography, allows for the rapid execution of protocol-based exams that support clinical decision-making in pre-hospital settings.
This article presents the case of a female patient with symptoms suggestive of intestinal obstruction and a patent para-umbilical hernia, attended at a Basic Emergency Service (BES). To achieve an accurate clinical evaluation, a combined approach using abdominal radiography and ultrasound was employed. The findings suggested the presence of an intestinal obstruction and a likely incarceration of the hernia, leading to her immediate referral to the reference hospital.
Screening ultrasound is not intended to provide definitive diagnoses, and it should not be seen by medical specialists as an intrusion into their clinical domain. This distinction is clearly outlined in international literature. Consequently, an increasing number of global health institutions are adopting its use as a primary screening tool; a practice firmly established in clinical interactional protocols that has proven to lifesaving.