Inguinal hernia

Question 1

What is an inguinal hernia?

Answer 1

a protrusion of abdominal/pelvic contents through the fascia of the abdo wall, through the internal inguinal ring

Question 2

What are the risk factors for infants developing inguinal hernia?

Answer 2

prematurity

being male

Question 3

What are the risk factors for an adult developing inguinal hernia?

Answer 3

male (8x more common than in females)
obesity
constipation
chronic cough
heavy lifting

Question 4

How does an inguinal hernia typically present?

Answer 4

Swelling in groin than may appear when lifting and is accompanied by sudden pain

Question 5

How do indirect inguinal hernia tend to present?

Answer 5

Pain in scrotum and cause a dragging sensation

Question 6

When does an inguinal hernia become a surgical emergency?

Answer 6

When strangulation occurs

Question 7

What is a direct inguinal hernia?

Answer 7

a protrusion through the internal inguinal ring

more common in infants

Question 8

What is an indirect inguinal hernia?

Answer 8

a hernia that protrudes directly through a weakness in the posterior wall of the inguinal canal medially to the inferior epigastric vessels
more common in the elderly

Question 9

Is direct or indirect inguinal hernia more common?

Answer 9

Direct - 80% cases