Hernias Flashcards
what is a hernia?
an abnormal protrusion of a viscus outwith its normal body cavity
what hernias arise from natural openings?
inguinal femoral umbilicus oesophageal hiatus obturator
what hernias arise from weak areas?
incisional (caused by surgery)
parastomal
epigastric
paraumbilical
what are the 6 predisposing factors to abdominal hernias?
heavy lifting coughing constipation prostatism pregnancy obesity (all cause raised intrabdominal pressure)
what is prostatism a symptom of?
compression/obstruction of the urethra
what is the main way that hernias are classified?
reducible or irreducible
what is a reducible hernia?
a hernia that can easily be pushed back into place
what is an irreducible hernia?
a hernia that won’t push back into place
what is the 2 subgroups of irreducible hernias?
obstructed hernias
incarcerated hernias
what is the difference between obstructed and incarcerated hernias?
obstructed hernia: neck is narrow enough to occlude bowel lumen
incarcerated: bowel isn’t affected
if an obstructed hernia isn’t treated quickly enough what can happen?
strangulated hernia can form
what is a strangulated hernia?
the neck has compromised the bowel blood supply
in a strangulated hernia which supply is usually compromised first?
(arterial or venous)
venous usually compromised first because of it’s lower pressure
(venous congestion causes purple appearance)
who gets paraumbilical hernias and who gets true umbilical hernias?
adults (and obese)- paraumbilical
children-umbilical
what does an epigastric hernia usually arise from?
congenital weakness of the linea alba
when do epigastric hernias usually present?
late teens/early adult
what age do congenital umbilical hernias usually resolve by?
age 3
if a congenital umbilical hernia hasn’t resolved by the age of 3 what should be done?
surgery