Hernias Flashcards
What is a hernia?
A hernia is an abnormal protrusion of an organ or tissue through a defect in surrounding tissue structures
What is a hernia sac?
While there is a defect in muscle and fascia, the peritoneum covers the hernia, forming a sac around the herniated contents
Indirect ingunal hernia?
A congenital form of inguinal hernia in which the hernia contents enter the inguinal canal through the deep or internal inguinal ring
Direct inguinal hernia?
An acquired form of inguinal hernia in which the hernia contents enter the inguinal canal “directly” through an area of weakness in the posterior wall of the canal
Amyands hernia?
a rare form of an inguinal hernia which occurs when the appendix is included in the hernial sac
Pantaloons hernia?
hernia with both direct and indirect components
Richters hernia?
when the antimesenteric wall of the intestine protrudes through a defect in the abdominal wall
Abdominal hernias?
an abnormal protrusion of intra-abdominal contents through congenital/acquired areas of weakness in the abdominal wall.
Four categories of anatomically classified abdominal wall hernias?
- ventral
- groin
- pelvic
- flank
Types of ventral hernias?
- epigastric
- umbilical
- incisional
- Spigelian
- parastomal
Epigastric hernia?
herniation through the linea alba, between the xiphoid process and the umbilicus
What is an umbilical hernia?
occurs at the umbilicus when a loop of intestine pushes through the umbilical ring
Incisional hernia?
Herniation of intra-abdominal contents through an abdominal wall defect created during a previous abdominal surgery
Spigelian hernia?
a rare type of hernia that can occur anywhere along the semilunar line; most commonly below the arcuate line (i.e., below the umbilicus)
Parastomal hernia?
herniation through a surgically created abdominal wall defect (i.e., a stoma)
Types of groin hernias?
- Inguinal hernia (direct/indirect)
- Femoral hernia
Types of pelvic hernias?
- obturator
- sciatic
- perineal
Obturator hernia?
herniation through the obturator foramen, especially the right side
(since the sigmoid colon blocks the obturator canal on the left)
Sciatic hernia?
herniation through greater or lesser sciatic foramen
Perineal hernia?
herniation through the pelvic floor
Types of flank hernias?
- incisional
- superior lumbar
- inferior lumbar
Incisional hernias?
Herniation of intra-abdominal contents through an abdominal wall defect created during a previous abdominal surgery
Superior lumbar hernia?
herniation through the superior lumbar triangle
Inferior lumbar hernia?
herniation through the inferior lumbar triangle
What is a reducible hernia?
Hernial contents completely return to the abdominal cavity through the abdominal wall defect on lying down or upon application of mild external pressure
Clinical features of reducible hernia?
- manifest as an asymptomatic nontender mass.
- Increases on straining (e.g., sitting up from a recumbent position)
- Decreases completely on lying down
- Visible cough impulse present: expansion of the hernia when the patient is asked to cough
- Edges of the fascial defect are palpable
- Bowel sounds may be heard over the mass (if the hernial content is bowel)
What is an irreducible/incarcerated hernia?
Hernial contents become adhered to the hernial sac and cannot be reduced into the abdominal cavity
Clinical features of irreducible/incarcerated hernia?
- Irreducible nontender mass
- Visible cough impulse present
- May decrease partially on lying down
- Increased risk of obstruction and strangulation
What is an obstructed hernia?
The abdominal wall defect acts as a tourniquet around the hernial contents, causing edema and distension of the hernial contents.
Clinical features of obstructed hernia?
- Acute pain at the site of the hernia
- Features of closed-loop bowel obstruction (if the hernial content is bowel)
- Absent cough impulse
- Ischemia and necrosis of the hernial contents due to compromised vascular supply
- Signs of strangulation
- A tender, irreducible hernia
- Absent cough impulse
- Edematous, erythematous, warm overlying skin
- Toxic appearance, fever, signs of sepsis
- May lead to intestinal gangrene
- Fatal if left untreated The smaller the hernial orifice, the higher the risk of incarceration
Diagnostics for hernias?
Usually a clinical diagnosis
- Imaging: indicated if the diagnosis is unclear and/or to identify contents of the hernial sac (e.g., loops of bowel)
What kind of imaging is used in diagnosing hernias?
- ultrasound
- IV and oral contrast enhanced CT scan
- abdominal x-ray
Indication and findings of an ultrasound?
Indication: especially useful to identify ventral hernias
e.g., epigastric, Spigelian, incisional, or umbilical hernia
Findings: abdominal wall defect with/without protrusion of intra-abdominal contents through it
Indication and findings of an IV and oral contrast enhanced CT scan?
Indications: useful for suspected hernias that may be difficult to identify on physical examination
e.g., lumbar, obturator, perineal or sciatic hernia
Findings: abdominal wall defect with/without protrusion of intra-abdominal contents through it
Indications and findings of an abdominal x-ray?
Indicated if an obstructed and/or strangulated hernia is suspected
Findings: features of bowel obstruction
- Dilated bowel loops proximal to obstruction
- Collapsed bowel loops distal to obstruction
- Multiple air-fluid levels within dilated bowel loops
Differential diagnosis of a ventral hernia?
- Diastasis recti: a > 2 cm separation of the right and left rectus abdominis muscle with resultant protrusion of abdominal organs on straining
- In newborns: omphalocele, gastroschisis
- Abdominal wall tumor (e.g., desmoid tumor)
- Lipoma
- Rectus sheath hematoma
Differential diagnosis of pelvic and groin hernias?
- Inguinal lymphadenopathy
- Cryptorchid testes
- Lipoma
- Femoral artery aneurysm
Differential diagnosis of a strangulated hernia?
- Abscess
- Hematoma
- Lymphadenitis (strangulated groin hernias)
Surgical treatment of hernias?
Surgical hernia repair is recommended for the management of most abdominal hernias.
1. Surgery: open or laparoscopic tension-free closure of the abdominal wall defect with/ without a mesh
2. Elective surgery is indicated in reducible and incarcerated hernias.
3. Emergency surgery is indicated in obstructed or strangulated hernias.
Conservative management (observation) is indicated in?
- Congenital umbilical hernia in children < 5 years of age
- Asymptomatic wide-necked hernias in patients with high operative risk
- A truss or corset may be considered in these patients to decrease the risk of obstruction and strangulation.
Incisional hernia?
Herniation of intra-abdominal contents through an abdominal wall defect created during a previous abdominal surgery
Incidence: 15% of patients who have undergone abdominal surgery develop incisional ∼ hernias
Risk factors of incisional hernias?
- Upper midline laparotomy incisions (highest risk)
- Wound dehiscence
- Postoperative wound infection
- Poor wound healing
- Emergency abdominal surgeries