Hernias Flashcards
What are the five different anatomical hernia sites?
Umbilical Ventral midline Lateral abdominal Diaphragmatic Caudal abdominal
What are the three categories of hernias?
Reducible
Incarcerated
Strangulated
What are the three anatomical hernia positions?
Ring
Sac
Contents
What is a true hernia?
Opening through a normal aperture
AKA indirect hernia
What is a false hernia?
Doesn’t contain a complete peritoneal sac, usually created by trauma or after breakdown of surgical entry
AKA direct hernias
What type of hernias are the most common equine hernias?
Usually they are true (indirect) hernias- pass through the vaginal ring into the vaginal tunic
Inguinal hernia
Intestinal contents within the inguinal canal
T/F: Unilateral congenital inguinal hernias are most common
TRUE
T/F: Congenital inguinal hernias in equine typically spontaneously regress around 3-6 months of age?
TRUE
When is a ruptured inguinal hernia seen?
4-48 hours after birth in foals
T/F: Inguinal hernias in adult equine are typically non-reducible
True
These are reducible in foals
What are some CS of a ruptured inguinal hernia?
Scrotal swelling
Testicle cool (vascular compromise)
Colicky stallion
What is the most common type/content of a ruptured inguinal hernia?
Distal jejunum and ileum are the most common
T/F: An inguinal rupture/non-reducible hernia is classified as an emergency surgery
TRUE
What is the sx procedure for an inguinal hernia?
Laparoscopic herniorrhaphy
What areas should be prepped when performing sx correction for an acquired inguinal hernia?
Inguinal region and ventral abdomen
What is the most common side in cattle for an indirect inguinal hernia?
Left side due to the increased pressure from the rumen
What breed of cattle more commonly has indirect inguinal hernias?
Beef breeds (Hereford) Chronic problem in cattle
How is an indirect inguinal hernia diagnosed in cattle?
Rectal palpation
What is a classical characteristic of an indirect inguinal hernia in cattle?
Hourglass configuration
T/F: Direct inguinal hernias in cattle are commonly due to trauma, have no side predilection, no hourglass appearance and is considered an emergency surgery
TRUE
What is the most common type of hernia in the horse?
Umbilical hernia
Most of these are congenital
When is it considered a “routine” umbilical hernia in equine?
When majority of foals with palpable defect at birth closes within 4 days
How are umbilical hernias diagnosed?
Rectal palpation
Ultrasound
What prognosis is expected from a thickened hernia ring?
Good prognosis for repair
What prognosis is expected from a thin/indistinct hernia ring?
Potential increased complication
What is the most common content in a umbilical hernia?
Ileum or small intestine
T/F: Hernias <5cm diameter and reducible can be managed with conservative tx
TRUE
When should sx treatment be considered for hernias?
Not spontaneously resolving by 4 months of age
Hernias>10 cm diameter
Why should a hernia clamp not be used in foals?
Increases risk of infection and it is painful
What is the preferred surgical treatment for an umbilical hernia?
Open herniorrhaphy
What is the treatment of a strangulated umbilical hernia?
Celiotomy cranial to the ring followed by en bloc resection of lesion
How long should a foal be confined to a box stall post herniorrhaphy?
30-45 days
What are the five categories of umbilical hernias in calves?
Uncomplicated hernias Hernias with SQ infection/abscessation Hernias w/ infection of umbilical remnant Umbilical abscesses/chronic omphalitis Urachal cysts/ruptures
What is the most common birth defect in cattle?
Uncomplicated umbilical hernia (hereditary)
Which type of cattle are more predisposed to umbilical hernias?
Dairy cattle
What does a hernial sac in cattle most commonly contain?
Abomasum
When can conservative treatment of a hernia be done in cattle?
Only when <5cm
Reducible
No hx/evidence of infection
When should surgical intervention be considered in cattle?
> 5cm
any pathologic evidence
Open herniorrhaphy should be done
What is the most frequently infected remnant post herniorrhaphy?
Urachus
What is involved when omphalophlebitis extends cranially?
Liver
