Abdominal wall hernias Flashcards
Define hernia
abnormal protrusion of a cavities contents through its wall
Name some hernias
epigastric
umbilical
incisional
spigelian
inguinal
femoral
What causes a hernia?
defect in muscular wall
How to tell whether a hernia is epigastric or umbilical
epigastric = midline, above umbilicus
umbilical = around umbilicus
(true umbilical normally in children, adults normally paraumbilical)
What can cause divarication of rectii?
childbirth
rectus muscles shifted away from midline
Where do spigelian hernias occur?
away from midline
where lateral abdominal wall muscles insert into the rectus sheath
How do hernias present?
pain
bowel-related symptoms
swelling (reducible, non-reducible)
What does non-reducible hernia mean?
out all the time
How can non-reducible hernias be categorised?
incarcerated
obstructed
strangulated
Inguinal hernia location
above and medial to pubic tubercle
Femoral hernia location
below and lateral to pubic tubercle
What do indirect inguinal hernias follow?
follow line of distension of testes
Are inguinal hernias more common in men or women?
men
Hernia surgery complications
bleeding
infection
recurrence
chronic pain
injury to cord/vessels entering testes —> ischaemia
