Hernias and Ruptures Flashcards
Define hernia
Protrusion of an organ through a naturally occurring orifice in the structure that usually contains it.
What is the correct term for a traumatic hernia?
Rupture
Define rupture
protrusion of an organ through a traumatically induced opening (i.e. a tear) in the wall of a structure that usually contains it.
What is a true vs false hernia?
True - Congenital
False - Rupture
What is an internal vs external hernia?
inside body - internal
outside body - external
What are congenital hernias lined with that traumatic are not?
Peritoneal sac
Ruptures have no sac present initially but over time a peritoneal lining may form through a process known as..?
Peritonealisation
What is the huge risk of ruptures with the abscence of a hernial sac?
Adhesions form and restrict movement
What is incarceration?
when the organ/tissue within a hernia or rupture has formed adhesions and cannot be reduced.
Define strangulated
If the blood supply to that tissue is obstructed the herniated structure
What does the umbilical aperture allow to pass through the umbilcial ring in the fetus? (2)
Vitelline duct
The stalk of the allantois
What develops improperly to cause a PPDH?
Septum transversum
What causes incisional hernias? (3)
- Surgeon error
- Incorrect suture
- Poor Post op care
Type of cause of rupture of cranial pubic ligament
Traumatic
Type of cause of PPDH?
Congenital
Define PPDH
Peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia
Type of cause for incisional hernia?
Iatrogenic
Type of cause of umbilical hernia
Congenital
Mechanism of hernias cause the following adverse effect?
- Space occupying effect
The herniated organs may compromise function of other organs by simply occupying space within the adjacent body cavity.
Mechanism of hernias cause the following adverse effect?
- Loss of domain
The walls of the body cavity may become accustomed to having a smaller volume because of organ displacement outside the body cavity. This can make it difficult to return the herniated organs back to their correct location such that closure of the body cavity can be difficult and have an associated risk of accompanying compartment syndrome*.
Mechanism of hernias cause the following adverse effect?
- Incarceration
The herniated contents become trapped at their abnormal location and can no longer be reduced back to their correct anatomical location. This can be due to the formation of adhesions
Mechanism of hernias cause the following adverse effect?
- Strangulation
The blood supply to the herniated organs becomes compressed due to abnormal positioning (stretching, compression or kinking) with subsequent devitalisation of these organs.
Mechanism of hernias cause the following adverse effect?
- Los of normal function of organ
Kinking or compressing on the herniated structure may prevent normal function.
What organ can be obstructed 2ry to prepubic tendon rupture?
Urethra
Mechanism of hernias cause the following adverse effect?
- Presence of visible mass
If the hernia or rupture is in a location that allows herniated structures to move outside of a body cavity (i.e. an external hernia) then a mass/swelling may be seen.
Name external hernias (3)
Umbilical
Scrotal
Inguinal
How does a diaphragmatic hernia cause adverse effects - “wasp waist”
The “wasp waist” appearance of the abdomen is because of contraction of the abdominal wall (loss of domain) associated with herniation of a large volume of abdominal organs into the thorax with compression of the thoracic structures (space occupying effects).
Following a diaphragmatic hernia, how can the chance of compartment syndrome be reduced?
bilateral releasing incisions should be made in the aponeurosis of the external abdominal oblique muscle parallel to and several centimetres from the ventral midline and/or inclusion of a prosthetic mesh to allow tension free closure of the abdominal wall
What is the main issue of using plain radiograph to diagnose hernias?
is not always definitive for diagnosing a hernia or rupture because when soft tissues and fluid are in contact these cannot specifically be differentiated.
Positive contrast radiographic studies are particularly useful to allow identification of the location and integrity of what hernia/rupture? (2)
Bladder
Urethra
What imagine is a definitive to diagnose hernia?
CT
Traumtic rupture - what must be done and for for lon?
Stabilisation over 24-72 hours is recommended so that the patient is cardiovascularly stable and pulmonary contusions, etc are resolving before the patient is anaesthetised.
2 approaches to repair hernias
- Incision over hernia
- Midline celiotomy
Examples for hernia to be repaired directly over hernia?
- Umbilical hernia
- Uncomplicated inguinal hernia
Main steps in a hernia repair? (5)
- Ensure viability
- Release contents to correct cavity
- Resect non viable contents
- Resect redundant hernia sac tissue
- Tension free closure
Suture pattern for acute diaphragm hernia? (2)
- Simple continuous
- Simple interrupted
What sutures if there is a chronic tear where fibrosis and scarring of the diaphragm cause some mild tension on the wound edges?
Cruciate mattress
For large defects that cannot be closed using local tissues then the following options are available. (2)
Use of a muscular or fascial flap (autogenous tissue)
Use of a prosthetic implant such as polypropylene mesh
What is the exception to this statement:
“The use of autogenous or prosthetic grafts is only very rarely require”
perineal hernias where muscle/fascial flap
When are Autogenous and prosthetic grafts are more likely to be required? type (1), details (2)
Body wall ruptures:
- severe trauma with contraction of local tissues,
- large tissue defects