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Hernias

A hernia is an abnormal opening in the abdominal wall, with or without protrusion of an intraabdominal structure. A hernia develops in 5% of men during their lifetime. The most common groin hernia in males or females is the indirect inguinal hernia. Femoral hernias are more common in females than in males.

Inguinal hernias

Indirect sacs pass through the internal inguinal ring lateral to the inferior epigastric vessels and lie within the spermatic cord. Two-thirds of inguinal are indirect hernea.

Direct occur when viscera protrude through a weak area in the posterior inguinal wall. The base of the hernia sac lies medial to the inferior epigastric vessels, through Hesselbach's triangle, which is formed hernia by the inferior epigastric artery, the lateral edge of the rectus sheath.

Combined (pantaloon) hernias occur when direct and indirect hernias occur.

Sliding occur when part of the wall of the sac is formed by a viscera (bladder, colon). Richter's occur when part of the bowel (rather than the entire circumference) becomes trapped. Only a "knuckle" of bowel enters the hernia sac.

Incarcerated cannot be reduced into the abdominal cavity. Strangulated are with incarcerated contents.

Inguinal Anatomy

Layers of Abdominal Wall: Skin, subcutaneous fat, Scarpa's fascia, external oblique, internal oblique, transversus abdominous, transversalis fascia, peritoneum.

Hesselbach's Triangle: A triangle formed by the lateral edge.

Inguinal Ligament: Ligament running from anterior superior iliac spine to the pubic tubercle.

Lacunar Ligament: Reflection of inguinal ligament from the pubic tubercle onto the iliopectineal line.

Cooper's Ligament: Strong, fibrous band located on the iliopectineal line of superior public ramus.

External Inguinal Ring: Opening in the external oblique aponeurosis; the ring contains the ilioinguinal nerve.

Internal Ring: Bordered superiorly by internal oblique muscle and inferomedially by the inferior epigastric vessels.

Processus Vaginalis: A diverticulum of peritoneum which descends with testicle and lies adjacent to the spermatic cord.

Femoral Canal: Formed by the borders of the inguinal ligament, lacunar ligament, Cooper's ligament, and femoral sheath.

Clinical Evaluation

Inguinal usually present as an intermittent mass in thegroin. The symptoms can usually be reproduced by a purposeful Valsalva maneuver. A bowel obstruction may rarely be the first manifestation .

Physical examination. An inguinal bulge with a smooth, rounded surface is usually palpable. The bulge may become larger with straining. The hernia sac can be assessed by invaginating the hemiscrotum with an index finger passed through the external inguinal ring.

Radiologic evaluation. X-ray studies are not usually needed. Ultrasonography or CT scanning may be necessary to evaluate small hernias, particularly in the obese patient.

Differential diagnosis. Inguinal hernias are distinguished from femoral hernias by the fact that femoral hernias originate below the inguinal ligament. Inguinal adenopathy, lipomas, dilatation of the saphenous vein, and psoas abscesses may present as inguinal masses.

Treatment

Preoperative evaluation and preparation. Hernias should be treated surgically. Chronic cough, constipation, ascites, or urinary obstruction can increase intraabdominal pressure and should be corrected before elective herniorrhaphy. If incarceration or strangulation has occurred, broad-spectrum antibiotics and nasogastric suction should be initiated.