Hernias Flashcards
What is a hernia?
Abnormal protrusion of a viscus through the wall of its containing cavity
What type of inguinal hernia goes through the inguinal ring?
Indirect inguinal hernia
Direct inguinal hernias protrude medial to which vessels?
Inferior epigastric vessels
What are the risk factors for a direct inguinal hernia
COPD / asthma
Ascites
Smokers
In what group of people are femoral hernias most common?
Post-menopausal women
A femoral hernia occurs inferior to which structure?
Inguinal ligament
What are epigastric hernias?
Defects in the abdominal midline between the umbilicus and the diploid proceed due to a weakened line alba
In what group of people are umbilical hernias most common?
Children
Umbilical hernias often get incarcerated in which group?
Males
What are spigelian hernias?
Hernias which occur through a defect in the spigelian aponeurosis
What is an incisional hernia?
A hernia which develops where a prior surgical incision was made and. the fascia never fully. healed
What are the risk factors for poor healing of surgical wounds and subsequent incisional hernia formation?
Smoking, diabetes, old age, obesity, smoking, malnutrition, immunosuppressive therapy and connective tissue disorders
How soon after surgery do incisional hernias normally occur?
Early post-operative period
In what setting do obturator hernias normally occur?
Profound weight loss
What is a perineal hernia?
Perineal hernias are protrusion of organs into the perineum through a defect in the pelvic floor
In what age group do perineal hernias most commonly occur?
Older multiparous females
What are lumbar hernias?
A protrusion of organs through fascial defects in the posterolateral abdominal wall
How do hernias most commonly present?
As lumps
What symptoms can be caused by an obstructed or strangulated hernia?
Abdominal pain
Nausea
Vomiting
How should asymptomatic hernias be managed?
Watchful waiting
What is the term for an irreducible hernia?
Incarcerated hernia
What is. the term for an incaracerated hernia which has its blood supply cut off?
Starngulated hernia
What is a richter’s hernia?
When there is a small piece of bowel which has become trapped within a hernia, but there is no overall obstruction to the intestine
What type of hernias are more likely to cause evisceration?
Wide-necked hernias
What is evisceration of a hernia?
Where the abdominal contents perforate outside the body
