Hernia Information

A hernia occurs when the contents of a body cavity bulge out of the area where they are normally contained. These contents, usually portions of
intestine or abdominal fatty tissue, are enclosed in the thin membrane that naturally lines the inside of the cavity. Hernias by themselves may be
asymptomatic (produce no symptoms) or cause slight to severe pain. Nearly all have a potential risk of having their blood supply cut off (becoming
strangulated). When the content of the hernia bulges out, the opening it bulges out through can apply enough pressure that blood vessels in the hernia
are constricted and therefore the blood supply is cut off. If the blood supply is cut off at the hernia opening in the abdominal wall, it becomes a medical
and surgical emergency as the tissue needs oxygen which is transported by the blood supply.
Different types of abdominal-wall hernias include the following:
Inguinal (groin) hernia: Making up 75% of all abdominal-wall hernias and occurring up to 25 times more often in men than women, these hernias are
divided into two different types, direct and indirect. Both occur in the groin area where the skin of the thigh joins the torso (the inguinal crease), but
they have slightly different origins. Both of these types of hernias can similarly appear as a bulge in the inguinal area. Distinguishing between the
direct and indirect hernia, however, is important as a clinical diagnosis.

o Indirect inguinal hernia: An indirect hernia follows the pathway that the testicles made during fetal development, descending from the abdomen
into the scrotum. This pathway normally closes before birth but may remain a possible site for a hernia in later life. Sometimes the hernia sac
may protrude into the scrotum. An indirect inguinal hernia may occur at any age.

o Direct inguinal hernia: The direct inguinal hernia occurs slightly to the inside of the site of the indirect hernia, in an area where the abdominal wall
is naturally slightly thinner. It rarely will protrude into the scrotum. Unlike the indirect hernia, which can occur at any age, the direct hernia tends
to occur in the middle-aged and elderly because their abdominal walls weaken as they age.

Femoral hernia: The femoral canal is the path through which the femoral artery, vein, and nerve leave the abdominal cavity to enter the thigh.
Although normally a tight space, sometimes it becomes large enough to allow abdominal contents (usually intestine) to protrude into the canal. A
femoral hernia causes a bulge just below the inguinal crease in roughly the mid-thigh area. Usually occurring in women, femoral hernias are
particularly at risk of becoming irreducible (not able to be pushed back into place) and strangulated. Not all hernias that are irreducible are
strangulated (have their blood supply cut off ), but all hernias that are irreducible need to be evaluated by a health-care provider.

Umbilical hernia: These common hernias (10%-30%) are often noted at birth as a protrusion at the bellybutton (the umbilicus). This is caused when
an opening in the abdominal wall, which normally closes before birth, doesn't close completely. If small (less than half an inch), this type of hernia
usually closes gradually by age 2. Larger hernias and those that do not close by themselves usually require surgery at age 2-4 years. Even if the
area is closed at birth, umbilical hernias can appear later in life because this spot may remain a weaker place in the abdominal wall. Umbilical
hernias can appear later in life or in women who are pregnant or who have given birth (due to the added stress on the area).

Incisional hernia: Abdominal surgery causes a flaw in the abdominal wall. This flaw can create an area of weakness in which a hernia may develop.
This occurs after 2%-10% of all abdominal surgeries, although some people are more at risk. Even after surgical repair, incisional hernias may
return.

Spigelian hernia: This rare hernia occurs along the edge of the rectus abdominus muscle through the spigelian fascia, which is several inches to the
side of the middle of the abdomen.

Obturator hernia: This extremely rare abdominal hernia develops mostly in women. This hernia protrudes from the pelvic cavity through an opening
in the pelvic bone (obturator foramen). This will not show any bulge but can act like a bowel obstruction and cause nausea and vomiting. Because
of the lack of visible bulging, this hernia is very difficult to diagnose.

Epigastric hernia: Occurring between the navel and the lower part of the rib cage in the midline of the abdomen, epigastric hernias are composed
usually of fatty tissue and rarely contain intestine. Formed in an area of relative weakness of the abdominal wall, these hernias are often painless
and unable to be pushed back into the abdomen when first discovered.



















Hernia Causes
Although abdominal hernias can be present at birth, others develop later in life. Some involve pathways formed during fetal development, existing
openings in the abdominal cavity, or areas of abdominal-wall weakness.
Any condition that increases the pressure of the abdominal cavity may contribute to the formation or worsening of a hernia. Examples include

o obesity,

o heavy lifting,

o coughing,

o straining during a bowel movement or urination,
he Different Types of Hernias
Author: Benjamin C. Wedro, MD, FAEEM
Editor: Melissa Conrad Stppler, MD
No matter what you make or build, it's the seams that are the hardest part to get right. On a piece of clothing,
a loose seam will be prone to tear; make it too tight and it will restrict movement. On a house, that loose board will cause the roof
to leak, and if there isn't enough room for expansion, stuff will start to buckle.
As it turns out, the body has numerous seams that need to be made just right so that they don't pull apart and let body parts slide
into places they don't belong. The abdomen is surrounded by numerous muscles to keep the stomach, small intestine, and colon
where they belong, but if one of these organs starts to slip though a weakness or a hole in the muscles, it's called a hernia. To be
fair, many other parts of the body can have organ herniation. By definition, a hernia is a bulge or protrusion of an organ through a
muscle or other structure that normally serves to keep it contained. But when people talk about hernias, they are usually talking
about the abdomen. And while there are many types of abdominal hernias (hiatal, umbilical, or incisional), mentioning a hernia
usually means they are talking about one in about the groin.


o chronic lung disease, and

o fluid in the abdominal cavity.

A family history of hernias can make you more likely to develop a hernia.
Hernia Symptoms and Signs
The signs and symptoms of a hernia can range from noticing a painless lump to the severely painful, tender, swollen protrusion of tissue that you are
unable to push back into theabdomen (an incarcerated strangulated hernia).
Reducible hernia

o It may appear as a new lump in the groin or other abdominal area.

o It may ache but is not tender when touched.

o Sometimes pain precedes the discovery of the lump.

o The lump increases in size when standing or when abdominal pressure is increased (such as coughing).

o It may be reduced (pushed back into the abdomen) unless very large.

Irreducible hernia

o It may be an occasionally painful enlargement of a previously reducible hernia that cannot be returned into the abdominal cavity on its own or
when you push it.

o Some may be chronic (occur over a long term) without pain.

o An irreducible hernia is also known as an incarcerated hernia.

o It can lead to strangulation (blood supply being cut off to tissue in the hernia).

o Signs and symptoms of bowel obstruction may occur, such as nausea and vomiting.

Strangulated hernia

o This is an irreducible hernia in which the entrapped intestine has its blood supply cut off.

o Pain is always present, followed quickly by tenderness and sometimes symptoms of bowel obstruction (nausea and vomiting).

o The affected person may appear ill with or without fever.

o This condition is a surgical emergency.
When to Seek Medical Care
All newly discovered hernias or symptoms that suggest you might have a hernia should prompt a visit to the doctor. Hernias, even those that ache, if
they are not tender and easy to reduce (push back into the abdomen), are not necessarily surgical emergencies, but all have the potential to become
serious. Referral to a surgeon should generally be made so that the need for surgery can be established and the procedure can be performed as an
elective surgery and avoid the risk of emergency surgery should your hernia become irreducible or strangulated.
If you find a new, painful, tender, and irreducible lump, it's possible you may have an irreducible hernia, and you should have it checked in an
emergency setting. If you already have a hernia and it suddenly becomes painful, tender, and irreducible, you should also go to the emergency
department. Strangulation (cut off blood supply) of intestine within the hernia sac can lead to gangrenous (dead) bowel in as little as six hours. Not all
irreducible hernias are strangulated, but they need to be evaluated.
Hernia Diagnosis
If you have an obvious hernia, the doctor may not require any other tests (if you are healthy otherwise). If you have symptoms of a hernia (dull ache in
groin or other body area with lifting or straining but without an obvious lump), the doctor may feel the area while increasing abdominal pressure (having
you stand or cough). This action may make the hernia able to be felt. If you have an inguinal hernia, the doctor will feel for the potential pathway and
look for a hernia by inverting the skin of the scrotum with his or her finger.
Hernia Treatment
Self-Care at Home
In general, all hernias should be repaired unless severe preexisting medical conditions make surgery unsafe. The possible exception to this is a hernia
with a large opening. Trusses and surgical belts or bindings may be helpful in holding back the protrusion of selected hernias when surgery is not
possible or must be delayed. However, they should never be used in the case of femoral hernias.
Avoid activities that increase intra-abdominal pressure (lifting, coughing, or straining) that may cause the hernia to increase in size.
Medical Treatment
Treatment of a hernia depends on whether it is reducible or irreducible and possibly strangulated.
Reducible hernia

o In general, all hernias should be repaired to avoid the possibility of future intestinal strangulation.

o If you have preexisting medical conditions that would make surgery unsafe, your doctor may not repair your hernia but will watch it closely.

o Rarely, your doctor may advise against surgery because of the special condition of your hernia.

Some hernias have or develop very large openings in the abdominal wall, and closing the opening is complicated because of their large size.

These kinds of hernias may be treated without surgery, perhaps using abdominal binders.

Some doctors feel that the hernias with large openings have a very low risk of strangulation.

o The treatment of every hernia is individualized, and a discussion of the risks and benefits of surgical versus nonsurgical management needs to
take place between the doctor and patient.

Irreducible hernia

o All acutely irreducible hernias need emergency treatment because of the risk of strangulation.

o An attempt to reduce (push back) the hernia will generally be made, often after giving medicine for pain and muscle relaxation.

o If unsuccessful, emergency surgery is needed.

o If successful, however, treatment depends on the length of the time that the hernia was irreducible.

If the intestinal contents of the hernia had the blood supply cut off, the development of dead (gangrenous) bowel is possible in as little as six
hours.

In cases in which the hernia has been strangulated for an extended time, surgery is performed to check whether the intestinal tissue has died
and to repair the hernia.

In cases in which the length of time that the hernia was irreducible was short and gangrenous bowel is not suspected, you may be discharged
from the hospital.

o Because a hernia that was irreducible and is reduced has a dramatically increased risk of doing so again, you should therefore have surgical
correction sooner rather than later.

o Occasionally, the long-term irreducible hernia is not a surgical emergency. These hernias, having passed the test of time without signs of
strangulation, may be repaired electively.
Follow-up
To lower the risk of a hernia becoming irreducible or strangulated, the sooner a reducible hernia is repaired the better.
Hernia Prevention
You can do little to prevent areas of the abdominal wall from being or becoming weak, which can potentially become a site for a hernia.
Hernia Prognosis
Risk of strangulation: In considering when to have a reducible hernia surgically repaired, it is important to know the risk of strangulation.

o The risk varies with the location and size of the hernia and the length of time it has been present.

o In general, hernias with large sac contents with a relatively small opening are more likely to become strangulated.

o Hernias that have been present for many years may become irreducible.

Operative complications: Approximately 7% of people undergoing surgical hernia repair will have complications.

o These are short-term and usually treatable.

o The hernia that comes back after initial surgical repair can be repaired by the same or an alternate method.

o Complications include the following:

recurrence (most common),

urinary retention,

wound infection,

fluid build-up in scrotum (called hydrocele formation),

scrotal hematoma (bruise), and

testicular damage on the affected side (rare).