Hernias Flashcards
1
Q
What is a hernia?
A
- protrusion of an organ or the fascia of an organ
- through the wall of the cavity that normally contains it
2
Q
What are risk factors for abdominal wall hernias?
A
- obesity
- ascites
- increasing age
- surgical wounds
3
Q
What are the features of abdominal wall hernias?
A
- palpable lump
- cough impulse
- pain
- obstruction → more common in femoral hernias
- strangulation → may compromise bowel blood supply leading to infarction
4
Q
What is an inguinal hernia?
A
- account for 75% of abdo wall hernias
- around 95% of pts are male
- men have around 25% lifetime risk of developing an inguinal hernia
- above + medial to pubic tubercle
- strangulation is rare
5
Q
What is a femoral hernia?
A
- below and lateral to pubic tubercle
- more common in women, particularly multiparous ones
- high risk of obstruction + strangulation
- surgical repair required
6
Q
What is an umbilical hernia?
A
- symmetrical bulge under umbilicus
7
Q
What is a paraumbilical hernia?
A
- asymmetric bulge
- half the sac covered by skin of abdomen directly above or below umbilicus
8
Q
What is an epigastric hernia?
A
- lump in midline between umbilicus + xiphisternum
- most common in men aged 20-30 years
9
Q
What is an incisional hernia?
A
- may occur in up to 10% of abdominal operations
10
Q
What is a spigelian hernia?
A
- AKA lateral ventral hernia
- rare + seen in older patients
- hernia through spigelian fascia (aponeurotic layer between rectus abdominis muscle medially + semilunar line laterally)
11
Q
What is an obturator hernia?
A
- hernia passes through obturator foramen
- more common in females
- presents w/ bowel obstruction
12
Q
What is a richter hernia?
A
- rare
- only antimesenteric border of bowel herniates through fascial defect
