Hernias

Question 1

What is a hernia?

Answer 1

Abnormal protrusion of a viscus outwith its normal body cavity

Question 2

Name the most common hernias, from most to least common

Answer 2

Inguinal
Umbilical
Incisional
Femoral

Question 3

What is the main risk factor for developing a hernia?

Answer 3

Raised intra-abdominal pressure, caused by lifting, coughing, constipation, pregnancy etc.

Question 4

If a hernia is reducible, it goes back in and doesn’t reappear. True/False?

Answer 4

True

Question 5

How do epigastric hernias arise?

Answer 5

Congenital weakness of the line albea

Question 6

Epigastric hernias are more common in females. True/False?

Answer 6

False

Males 3:1 females

Question 7

Where are femoral hernias usually located?

Answer 7

Below and lateral to the pubic tubercle

Question 8

Femoral hernias are 10x more common in females than males. True/False?

Answer 8

True

Question 9

Where are inguinal hernias usually located?

Answer 9

Above and medial to the pubic tubercle

Question 10

Indirect inguinal hernias are lateral/medial to inferior epigastric vessels
Direct inguinal hernias are lateral/medial to inferior epigastric vessels

Answer 10

Indirect inguinal hernias are lateral to inferior epigastric vessels
Direct inguinal hernias are medial to inferior epigastric vessels

Question 11

Indirect hernias are more common in older men. True/False?

Answer 11

False

More common in younger men

Question 12

What does a patent processus vaginalis cause?

Answer 12

Hydrocele (fluid in scrotum)

Indirect inguinal hernia

Question 13

Vertical incisions are more likely to cause an incisional hernia than transverse incisions. True/False?

Answer 13

True

Question 14

Paediatric inguinal hernias are more common in men. True/False?

Answer 14

True

Question 15

What is the processus vaginalis?

Answer 15

Peritoneal sac through which the testes descend into the scrotum

Question 16

Reducible inguinal hernias are more likely to be direct than indirect. True/False?

Answer 16

True

Question 17

What method is preferred for the treatment of hernias?

Answer 17

NOT ALL NEED TO BE FIXED as recurrence is likely - OBSERVATION
Laparoscopic surgery if needed

Question 18

Who is most likely to get obturator hernias? How do they present?

Answer 18

Thin, elderly females

Medial thigh pain due to obturator nerve compression

Question 19

Paediatric hernias are always repaired. True/False?

Answer 19

Umbilical hernias usually resolve by age 4

Inguinal hernias are always repaired via herniotomy