Hernias Flashcards
What causes visceral pain?
Visceral stretching
Visceral inflammation
Visceral ischaemia
Describe visceral pain
What often accompanies it?
- vague/poorly defined
- often midline
- nausea, vomiting + sweating
Where is foregut visceral pain often localised to?
What dermatomes?
What nerve is it associated with?
- epigastric area
- T5-T9
- greater splanchnic nerve
Where is midgut visceral pain often localised to?
What dermatomes?
What nerve is associated with it?
- peri umbilical
- T10-T11
- lesser splanchnic nerve
Where is hindgut visceral pain often localised to?
What dermatomes?
What nerve is it associated with?
- Supra-pubic
- T12-L1/2
- least splanchnic nerve
What is a hernia?
A protrusion of a part of the abdominal contents beyond the normal confines of the abdominal wall
Signs and symptoms of hernias that are not stuck
- fullness or swelling
- gets larger when intra abdominal pressure increases
- aches
Signs and symptoms of hernias that are stuck
- pain
- cannot be moved
- nausea + vomiting
- systemic problems if bowels become ischaemic
Causes of a hernia
Weakness in the containing cavity:
- congenitally related
- post surgery with inadequately healed wounds
- normal points of weakness
Anything that increases intra-abdominal pressure:
- obesity
- weightlifting
- chronic constipation or coughing
What are the three parts of a hernia?
- the sac
- contents of the sac
- coverings of the sac
Complications of hernias
- obstruction
- incarceration
- strangulation
What is an incarcerated hernia?
- when a hernia is irreducible (bowel is trapped in herniated position)
- can cause strangulation + obstruction
What is a strangulated hernia?
when a hernia is non-reducible + the base of the hernia becomes so tight it cuts of blood supply > ischaemia
Types of hernias
- inguinal
- femoral
- umbilical
- para umbilical
- hiatus
General options of abdominal wall hernias
- conservative management
- tension free repair (surgery)
- tension repair (surgery)
Conservative management of hernias
- leaving hernia alone
- most appropriate when hernia has a wide neck or pt is inappropriate for surgery
Options for surgical repair of hernias
tension free repair
tension repar
Outline tension free hernia repair
- placing a mesh over defect in abdominal wall
- mesh is sutured to muscle on either side of defect
- this prevents herniation
- overtime tissues grow into the mesh + provide extra support
Outline tension repair of hernias
- surgical operation to suture the muscles + tissue on either side of the defect back together
- less commonly done
What type of hernia surgery has a lower recurrence rate + is done more frequently?
tension free repair
What is the inguinal canal?
Oblique passage through lower part of the abdominal wall
What happens if processus vaginalis doesn’t obliterate?
- inguinal hernia if partial obliteration
- scrotal hernias if no obliteration
What makes an inguinal hernia in the scrotum more likely?
If the processus vaginalis doesnt obliterate
What are the borders of the inguinal canal?
- anterior wall: aponeurosis of external oblique
- posterior wall: transversalis fascia (+conjoint tendon medially)
- floor: inguinal ligament (+lacunar ligament medially)
- roof: internal oblique + transverse abdominus