Orientation Lecture: Hernias

Question 1

Give a basic definition of a hernia.

Answer 1

Organs that have slipped through weakness in surrounding tissue

Question 2

Hernia HPI: _______________.

Answer 2

• Location? 
•Incisional (past surgeries)? 
•Recurrent (meaning has it been repaired)? 
•Inciting event? 
•Enlargement/change? 
•Symptoms? 
• Obstruction? 
• Surgical risk factors: 
- Tobacco (weakens the tissue) 
- Obesity (difficult to move around surgically and increased weight on hernia repair) 
- COPD (chronic hypoxia weakens tissue) 
- Constipation (puts strain on hernia repair) 
- Chronic cough (again, strain) 
- Functional status

Question 3

Most patients with an inguinal hernia will need surgery due to symptoms within _______ years.

Answer 3

7

Watchful waiting with careful patient education (for symptoms of incarceration) is an acceptable management strategy.

Question 4

_____________ is the most common general surgery done in the world.

Answer 4

Inguinal hernia repair

30% - 40% of men will get one in their lifetime.

Question 5

What are the boundaries of Hasselbach’s triangle?

Answer 5

Look up…

Question 6

The most common type of congenital hernia is ______________.

Answer 6

indirect inguinal hernia

Question 7

________________ is not a true hernia, but rather is a widening of fascia.

Answer 7

Rectus diastasis

Question 8

Hernia recurrence rate is roughly _______________.

Answer 8

30%