Hernia and its

Management
Presented by 2018-mphill-1107
Define Hernia
 A hernia is the abnormal exit of tissue or an
organ, such as the bowel, through the wall of
the cavity in which it normally resides.
Hernias come in a number of different types.
Most commonly they involve the abdomen,
specifically the groin. Groin hernias are most
common of the inguinal type but may also be
femoral.
Define Hernia
 a condition in which part of an organ is
displaced and protrudes through the wall of
the cavity containing it (often involving the
intestine at a weak point in the abdominal
wall).
Common hernia types

 Inguinal hernia

 Inguinal hernias are the most common type of hernia. They

make up about 70 percent of all hernias, according to the British
Hernia Centre (BHC). These hernias occur when the intestines
push through a weak spot or tear in the lower abdominal wall,
often in the inguinal canal.
 This type of hernia is more common in men than women. This is
because a man’s testicles descend through the inguinal canal
shortly after birth, and the canal is supposed to close almost
completely behind them. Sometimes, the canal doesn’t close
properly and leaves a weakened area prone to hernias
Hiatal hernia

 A hiatal hernia occurs when part of your stomach

protrudes up through the diaphragm into your chest
cavity. The diaphragm is a sheet of muscle that helps
you breathe by contracting and drawing air into the
lungs. It separates the organs in your abdomen from
those in your chest.
 This type of hernia is most common in people over 50

years old. If a child has the condition, it’s typically

caused by a congenital birth defect. Hiatal hernias
almost always cause gastroesophageal reflux, which is
when the stomach contents leak backward into the
esophagus, causing a burning sensation.
Umbilical hernia

 Umbilical hernias can occur in children and babies

under 6 months old. This happens when their
intestines bulge through their abdominal wall near
their bellybutton. You may notice a bulge in or near
your child’s bellybutton, especially when they’re
crying.
Incisional hernia
 Incisional hernias can occur after you’ve had
abdominal surgery. Your intestines may push through
the incision scar or the surrounding, weakened tissue.
What causes a hernia?
 Hernias are caused by a combination of muscle weakness and strain. Depending on its cause, a
hernia can develop quickly or over a long period of time.

Common causes of muscle weakness

include:
. chronic coughing
 damage from injury or surgery
Factors that strain your body and may cause a
hernia, especially if your muscles are weak, include:
 being pregnant, which puts pressure on your abdomen
 being constipated, which causes you to strain when having a bowel movement
 lifting heavy weight
 fluid in the abdomen, or ascites
 suddenly gaining weight
 surgery in the area
 persistent coughing or sneezing
symptoms of a hernia
 The most common symptom of a hernia is a bulge or lump in the affected
area. In the case of an inguinal hernia, you may notice a lump on either side
of your pubic bone where your groin and thigh meet.

 You’re more likely to feel your hernia through touch when you’re standing
up, bending down, or coughing.

 If your baby has a hernia, you may only be able to feel the bulge when
they're crying. A bulge is typically the only symptom of an umbilical hernia.

 Other common symptoms of an inguinal hernia include:

 pain or discomfort in the affected area (usually the lower abdomen),

especially when bending over, coughing, or lifting
 weakness, pressure, or a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen
 a burning, gurgling, or aching sensation at the site of the bulge
Management and Treatment
 One of three types of hernia surgery can be performed:

Open surgery, in which a cut is made into the body at the location
of the hernia. The protruding tissue is set back in place and the weakened muscle
wall is stitched back together. Sometimes a type of mesh is implanted in the area to
provide extra support.
Laparoscopic surgery involves the same type of repairs.
However, instead of a cut to the outside of the abdomen or groin, tiny incisions are
made to allow for the insertion of surgical tools to complete the procedure.
Robotic hernia repair, like laparoscopic surgery, uses a
laparoscope, and is performed with small incisions. With robotic surgery, the
surgeon is seated at a console in the operating room, and handles the surgical
instruments from the console. While robotic surgery can be used for some smaller
hernias, or weak areas, it can now also be used to reconstruct the abdominal wall.
.
if a hernia is not treated?
 Other than umbilical hernias in babies, hernias will not
disappear on their own. Over time, a hernia can grow larger and
more painful or can develop complications.

 Complications of an untreated inguinal or femoral hernia may

include:

 Obstruction (incarceration): Part of the intestine becomes stuck

in the inguinal canal, causing nausea, vomiting, stomach pain,
and a painful lump in the groin.
 Strangulation: Part of the intestine is trapped in a way that cuts
off its blood supply. In such cases, emergency surgery (within
hours of occurring) is necessary to prevent tissue death.
Prevenion
 You can’t always prevent the muscle weakness that allows a
hernia to occur. However, you can reduce the amount of
strain you place on your body. This may help you avoid a
hernia or keep an existing hernia from getting worse.
Prevention tips include:

 not smoking.
 seeing your doctor when you’re sick to avoid developing a
persistent cough.
 maintaining a healthy body weight.
 avoiding straining during bowel movements or urination.
 lifting objects with your knees and not your back.
 avoiding lifting weights that are too heavy for you.