Overview:
- swelling in the abdominal wall (almost at midline)
- it increases when coughing or doing intense muscle exercise
Etiology:
- Protrusion of abdominal contents (peritoneal membrane, abdominal fat, intestine) through a weakness in the abdominal wall muscles
· defect usually at Linea alba (Latin for white line) which is a single midline fibrous line in the anterior abdominal wall formed by the median fusion of the layers of the rectus sheath medial to the bilateral rectus abdominis muscles, It attaches to the xiphoid process of the sternum and the pubic symphysis
Symptoms:
- swelling increases when standing up or coughing
- abdominal discomfort
- An incarcerated inguinal hernia happens when tissue becomes stuck in the groin and isn’t reducible.
This means it can’t be pushed back into place.
- Strangulated inguinal hernias are a more serious medical condition.
This is when an intestine in an incarcerated hernia has its blood flow cut off
Symptoms of strangulated hernia:
- severe pain
- fever
- rough, swollen, reddish bulging
- nausea or vomiting
- inability to defecate or pass gases
(Visit emergency department immediately when these symptoms appear)
Causes:
Risk factors of ventral hernia are:
- Obesity
- Age: leading to muscle weakness
- Pregnancy
- ascites
- peritoneal dialysis
- Stressful physical activity
- connective tissue disease
Diagnosis:
- Careful clinical examination
- Ultrasound abdomen to confirm the diagnosis
- CT abdomen in rare cases
Treatment:
Treatment of ventral hernia is surgical
- Laparoscopic surgery with mesh
- Open surgery for specific cases
