Hernias Flashcards
What is a hiatus hernia?
Herniation of elements of abdo cavity through esophageal hiatus of diaphragm
How can you classify hiatus hernias?
Sliding (type 1)
Paraesophageal (type 2, 3 + 4)
What is a sliding hernia?
Displacement of the gastroesophageal junction above diaphragm
Stomach remains in longitudinal alignment + fundus remains below GE junction
What are paraesophageal hermias?
Upward dislocation of gastric fundus
How common are sliding (type 1) vs paraesophageal (type 2, 3 + 4)?
Sliding = 95%
Causes of sliding hernias
Trauma, congenital malformation, iatrogenics
Causes of paraesophageal hernias
Complication of surgical dissection of the hiatus
Pathology of sliding hernia
Progressive disruption of the GE junction that allows gastric cardia to herniate ypwards
Pathology of paraesophageal hernia
Abnormal laxity of gastrosplenic + gastrocolic ligaments allowing greater curvature of the stomach to roll into thorax
S+S of sliding hernias
Asymptomatic if small
Symptoms of GORD if larger
S+S of paraesophageal hernia
Asymptomatic
Vague, intermittent symptoms of epigastric or substernal pain or postprandial fullness, nausea + retching
Investigations for hiatus hernias
CXR, CT, MRI - shows retrocardiac air-fluid level within hernia
Barium swallow is most sensitive test for paraesophageal hernia, sliding can be diagnosed on barium swallow or endoscopy
Usually found incidentally
Management of hiatus hernias
Symptomatic sliding = management of GERD
Surgery only for symptomatic paraesophageal hernias + for management of complications
What are the complications of hiatus hernias?
Gastric volvulus, bleeding, obstruction, strangulation, perforation, resporatory compromise
What are the types of groin hernia + how are they classified?
Inguinal (direct or indirect)
Direct - protrudes medial to epigastric vessels through Hesselbach’s triangle
Indirect - protrudes lateral to epigastric vessels
Femoral - protrude through femoral canal