Abdominal hernia Flashcards
types of abdominal hernia
Inguinal Femoral Incisional Epigastric Umbilical
What is a hernia
The protrusion of a viscus or part of a viscus through a weakening in its containing cavity.
Types of inguinal hernia
Direct
Indirect
Clinical presentation of inguinal H
Swelling in the groin that may appear with lifting, accompanied by pain.
Increase in swelling on cough.
Can reduce on reclination, larger requires manual reduction.
Differences in clinical presentation between direct and indirect inguinal h
indirect more prone to cause pain in the scrotum and ‘dragging’ sensation
Describe direct inguinal hernia
Caused by weakness in the abdominal wall
Located MEDIAL to inferior epigastric vessels
Protrudes directly through a weakness in the POSTERIOR WALL of the inguinal canal.
Describe indirect inguinal hernia
Caused by a congenital weakness of the internal inguinal ring
(Protrusion through the internal inguinal ring along with the inguinal canal through the abdominal wall.)
Located LATERAL to inferior epigastric vessels
More common than direct
Pathophysiology of inguinal hernia
High abdominal pressure causes the internal organs to push through a weakened section of the abdominal wall
Aetiology of inguinal hernia
Con be congenital
Heavy lifting is a risk factor and can weaken the wall
Epidemiology of direct inguinal hernia
More common in elderly and men
Epidemiology of indirect inguinal hernia
Accounts for 80% of inguinal hernias
More common in men
Diagnosis of inguinal hernia
Clinical diagnosis
Ultrasound (radiology)
Seek to identify if inguinal or femoral
Treatment of inguinal hernia
Infancy = Repair soon after diagnosis Adults = surgical repair in large hernias
Complications of any hernia
Incarcerate or strangulate
Clinical presentation of femoral hernia
Lump/mass in groin.
Tends to be irreducible.
Lateral and inferior to the pubic tubercle.
Increase in swelling on cough.
May be reducible on reclination or manually.
Pathophysiology of femoral hernia
High abdominal pressure causes the internal organs to push through a weakened section of the abdominal wall
Aetiology of femoral hernia
Idiopathic
OR due to a weakness in the femoral canal:
-located inferior and lateral to the pubic tubercle
-more common in females
-high risk of strangulation
Epidemiology of femoral hernia
More common in middle-aged and elderly women
Diagnosis of femoral hernia
Ultrasound
Seek to identify if inguinal or femoral