Chapter 5: Abdominal Hernia

Question 1

What is an Hernia of the abdominal wall?

Answer 1

Is a profusion of the abdominal contents through an acquired or congenital area of weakness in the wall.

Question 2

What is another name for Abdominal Hernia?

Answer 2

Ventral Hernias.

Question 3

With who are Abdominal Hernias more common?

Answer 3

Among males, necessitating about 700,000 operations each year in the US.

Question 4

What does Abdominal Hernias causes?

Answer 4

Cause bulging but little discomfort and some may incarcerated or strangulated causing acute pain, nausea and vomiting.

Question 5

What does an Incarcerated hernia do?

Answer 5

Block the intestine because a loop of intestine becomes stuck in the hernia and can cause a strangulated hernia.

Question 6

When does a Strangulated hernia occurs?

Answer 6

When the loop of intestine inside the hernia cuts off the blood supply to the intestines, causing tissue death.

Question 7

Is Strangulated Hernia a life threatening condition?

Answer 7

Yes.

Question 8

What would happen if the hernia is Incarcerated or strangulated?

Answer 8

Surgery must be done immediately, otherwise elective surgery is done.

Question 9

What surgery would be aimed at closing or covering the opening so the abdominal contents cannot slide back out?

Answer 9

Surgical repair.