Other hernias

Question 1

What is an epigastric hernia?

Answer 1

hernia that occurs in the upper midline through fibres of the linea alba

Question 2

What are the risks for an epigastric hernia?

Answer 2

raised chronic abdominal pressure e.g. obesity, pregnancy, ascites

Question 3

What is an important differential diagnosis for epigastric hernias?

Answer 3

divarication of the recti which is a cosmetic condition of a weakness in the linea alba

Question 4

What is a paraumbilical hernia?

Answer 4

herniation through the linea alba around the umbilical region but not through the umbilicus itself, usually contain pre-peritoneal fat

Question 5

Why do umbilical hernias occur in children?

Answer 5

omphalocele or gastroschisis caused by failure of abdominal contents to return back to abdominal cavity during intrauterine development

Question 6

What is a spigelian hernia?

Answer 6

hernia that occurs at the semilunar line (the tendinous lateral border of the rectus where the aponeuroses fuse around the level of the arcuate line- small tender mass at the lower lateral edge of the rectus abdomenus- high risk of strangulation

Question 7

What is an obturator hernia?

Answer 7

hernia of the pelvic floor that occurs through the obturator foramen into the obturator canal, usually a mass in the medial thigh, may compress obturator nerve- positive howship Rombery sign

Question 8

What is a littres hernia?

Answer 8

herniation of a meckels diverticulum usually into the inguinal canal

Question 9

What is a lumbar hernia?

Answer 9

rare posterior hernia that occur spontaneously or after surgery, posterior mass with back pain

Question 10

What is a richter hernia?

Answer 10

above the site of partial herniation of bowel whereby the anti-mesenteric border becomes strangulated and so part of the lumen of the bowel is within the hernial sac, tender irreducible mass at the herniating orifice, obstruction so is an emergency