Hernias Flashcards
What is a hernia?
Abnormal protrusion of a viscus outwith its normal body cavity
Name the most common hernias, from most to least common
Inguinal
Umbilical
Incisional
Femoral
What is the main risk factor for developing a hernia?
Raised intra-abdominal pressure, caused by lifting, coughing, constipation, pregnancy etc.
If a hernia is reducible, it goes back in and doesn’t reappear. True/False?
True
How do epigastric hernias arise?
Congenital weakness of the line albea
Epigastric hernias are more common in females. True/False?
False
Males 3:1 females
Where are femoral hernias usually located?
Below and lateral to the pubic tubercle
Femoral hernias are 10x more common in females than males. True/False?
True
Where are inguinal hernias usually located?
Above and medial to the pubic tubercle
Indirect inguinal hernias are lateral/medial to inferior epigastric vessels
Direct inguinal hernias are lateral/medial to inferior epigastric vessels
Indirect inguinal hernias are lateral to inferior epigastric vessels
Direct inguinal hernias are medial to inferior epigastric vessels
Indirect hernias are more common in older men. True/False?
False
More common in younger men
What does a patent processus vaginalis cause?
Hydrocele (fluid in scrotum)
Indirect inguinal hernia
Vertical incisions are more likely to cause an incisional hernia than transverse incisions. True/False?
True
Paediatric inguinal hernias are more common in men. True/False?
True
What is the processus vaginalis?
Peritoneal sac through which the testes descend into the scrotum
Reducible inguinal hernias are more likely to be direct than indirect. True/False?
True
What method is preferred for the treatment of hernias?
NOT ALL NEED TO BE FIXED as recurrence is likely - OBSERVATION
Laparoscopic surgery if needed
Who is most likely to get obturator hernias? How do they present?
Thin, elderly females
Medial thigh pain due to obturator nerve compression
Paediatric hernias are always repaired. True/False?
Umbilical hernias usually resolve by age 4
Inguinal hernias are always repaired via herniotomy
