Hernias Flashcards
What is the most common type of Hiatus hernia?
Sliding - Gastro-oesophageal junction slides up into the chest. Often associated with GORD
What is the less common type of Hiatus hernia?
Rolling - Gastro-oesophageal junction remains in the abdomen, but a bulge of stomach rolls into the chest with the oesophagus. LOS intact so GORD uncommon
Which type of Hiatus hernia is more at risk of strangulation?
Rolling
What investigations can be done for a patient with suspected Hiatus hernia?
CXR - Gas bubble and fluid level in chest
Barium swallow
OGD - Assess for oesophagitis
Manometry (Pressure sensing tube placed in oesophagus) to rule out Achalasia or Dysmotility
What is the treatment of a Hiatus hernia?
Lifestyle adjustments - Lose weight
Treat any reflux - PPIs
Surgery if doesn’t respond to treatment or rolling as strangulation can occur
What is the aetiology of Inguinal hernias?
More common in males (due to descent of the testes)
Tends to be in older patients for acquired and younger patients for congenital
What are the two main causes of Inguinal hernias?
Congenital - Patent processus vaginalis (Should go after birth). Can fill with fluid (Hydrocele) or bowel (Indirect hernia)
Acquired - Mainly due to increased abdominal pressure eg chronic cough, constipation, severe muscular effort, obesity, ascites, appendectomy. Weakening of the muscle wall
What is the pathology of a congenital Inguinal hernia?
Indirect Patent processus vaginalis Emerge through deep inguinal ring Has the same 3 covering as the spermatic cord (Internal spermatic fascia, Cremasteric muscle, External spermatic fascia) Descends into the scrotum *Can strangulate*
What is the pathology of an acquired Inguinal hernia?
Direct
Emerge through weakened area called Hesselbach’s triangle - medial to the inferior epigastric vessels
Rarely descent into scrotum
Rarely strangulate!
What are the boundaries of Hesselbach’s triangle?
Superio-lateral - Inferior epigastric vessels
Medial - Linea semilunaris (lateral margin of the rectus sheath)
Inferior - Inguinal ligament
What investigations can be done in a patient with suspected Inguinal hernia?
USS
What are some of the clinical features of an Inguinal hernia in children?
Lump in groin which may descend into the scrotum
Exacerbated by crying or coughing
Commonly obstruct
What are some of the clinical features of an Inguinal hernia in adults?
Lump in groin
Exacerbated by straining or coughing
May be a clear event that caused it in Hx
Dragging type pain that radiates to the groin
may present with strangulation or obstruction
What questions are important to ask in a patient with a suspected hernia?
Is it reducible?
Is it painful?
Has there been any episodes of obstruction or strangulation?
Are there any predisposing factors? eg Straining, lifting, coughing
Occupation, lifestyle
What are some of the non surgical treatments for an Inguinal hernia?
Manage any risk factors eg cough, constipation
Lifestyle adjustments eg weight loss
Truss (similar to support brace, support the area effected and keep it in the correct position)