Aim: Reduction en masse of a hernia is a rare clinical entity characterized by displacement of a hernia mass formed of hernial sac and its bowel contents to preperitoneal space without relief of strangulation.

Materials and method: A very rare case of spontaneous reduction en masse of recurrent inguinal hernia presented with clinical features of acute abdomen. Explorative laparatomy revealed a loop of small intestine strangulated by the peritoneal ring of the hernial sac which had been reduced en masse to the preperitoneal space.

Conclusions: The strangulated small intestine was released and anterior hernial repair was performed. Persistent of symptoms and signs of intestinal obstruction after recent disappearance of the hernial swelling in patients with recurrent groin hernias should alert the physician to consider possibility of reduction en masse of the hernia.