Hernia and Abdominal Wall Problems Flashcards
1 hernia in both male AND females?
indirect inguinal
Hernia general info
Protrusion of a viscus through an abnormal opening in the wall of a cavity in which it is contained
10% of population develops some sort in life. 3-4% current male population
50% indirect inguinal
25% direct (mostly people over 50)
15% femoral
Abdominal wall hernia is #1 condition requiring major surgery
External hernia
Sac protrudes completely through the abdominal wall. Ex = inguinal (indirect and direct), femoral, umbilical, epigastric
Internal hernia
sac is within the visceral cavity.
Ex = diaphragmatic (congenital or acquired), small intestine herniating in the paraduodenal pouch
Intraparietal hernia
sac is contained within abdominal wall
Ex = spigelian hernia
Reducible vs irreducible
Irreducible = incarcerated
Cannot be returned to abdomen
Strangulated
vascularity of viscus is compromised
surgical emergency
Layers of abdominal wall
skin subq fat camper's Scarpa's External oblique Internal oblique transversalis abdominis transversalis fascia peritoneal fat peritoneum
Inguinal canal
Length = 4cm
Anterior = ext oblique aponeurosis
Posterior = transverse abdominal muscle aponeurosis and transversalis fascia
Spermatic cord
Begins at deep ring and contains:
Vas Deferens and its artery
1 testicular artery
2-3 veins
lymphatics
Autonomic nerves
Fat
Genital nerve
Travels along with cremaster vessels to form neurovascular bundle
From L1 and L2
Motor and sensory
Innervates cremaster, skin of side of scrotum and labia
May sub for ilioinguinal nerve if it doesn’t work
Iliohypogastric, ilioinguinal nerves, genital branch of genitofemoral nerve
Iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal intertwine
originate from T12 and L1
Sensory to groin skin, base of penis, medial upper thigh
Genital branch of genitofemoral nerve is located on top of spermatic cord in 60% of people but can be found behind or within the cremaster muscle. Often cannot be found or is too small to be seen
Femoral canal structures
Lateral to medial = NAVEL
Nerve Artery Vein Empty space LN
Hesselback’s triangle
lower abdominal wall
site of direct inguinal hernias
Inferior = inguinal ligament
Medial = rectus abdominis
Lateral = Inferior epigastric vessels (lateral umbilical fold)
Triangle of Grynfeltt
“superior lumbar triangle”
Bounded by 12th rib superiorly
Internal oblique anteriorly
Floor = fibers of quadratus lumborum muscle
Triangle of Petit
“inferior lumbar triangle”
Posterior = Lat Anterior = ext oblique
Inferior = iliac crest
Floor = fibers from int oblique and transversus ab
Inguinal hernia - general
Hernias arising above the abdominocrural crease
Most common site for abdominal hernias
Male:Female = 25:1
Males: Indirect > direct (2:1)
Female: Direct is rare
Incidence, strangulation, and hospitalization all increase with age
Cause 15-20% of intestinal obstructions
Risk factors for inguinal hernia
1) Abdominal wall hernias occur in areas where aponeurosis and fascia are devoid of protecting support of striated muscle
2) They can be congenital or acquired by surgery or muscle atrophy
3) Female predisposition to femoral hernias: increased diameter of the true pelvis as compared to men, proportionally widens the femoral canal
4) Muscle deficiency of the internal oblique muscles in the groin exposes the deep ring and floor of inguinal canal, which are further weakened by intra-abdominal pressure
5) Connective tissue destruction (transverse aponeurosis and fascia): caused by physical stress 2/2 intra-abdominal pressure; smoking; aging; connective tissue disease; systemic illness; fracture of elastic fibers; alterations in structure, quantity and metabolism of collagen
6) Other: Abdominal distention, ascites with chronic increase in intra-abdominal pressure, peritoneal dialysis
Symptoms of inguinal hernia
Asymptomatic sometimes
Symptomatic - nonspecific discomforts vary by patient
Pain: Worse at the end of the day and relieved at night when patient lies down (bc hernia reduces)
Groin hernias do NOT usually cause testicular pain. Likewise, testicular pain doesn’t usually indicate the onset of a hernia