Ventral Hernia(Abdominal Hernia; Incisional Hernia; Spigelian Hernia; Epigastric Hernia)
by
Michael Jubinville, MPH DefinitionAn abdominal hernia is the pushing through of soft tissue through the abdominal wall. A ventral hernia is a hernia that develops in the front of the abdomen. Types of ventral hernias include:
Some hernias may not need treatment. Others can require surgery. Some hernias can be serious and require medical attention right away.
Causes TOPThe abdominal wall covers the front of the body from the ribs to the pelvis. It normally keeps abdominal tissue in place. When the abdominal wall tears or weakens, tissue pushes out. This creates a hernia. The tissue pushed through can be loops of intestine, fat, or other tissue. The weakness may be caused by:
Weak spots may be present at birth. Others may develop later in life from general weakness, injury, or surgery. Risk Factors TOPOlder adults are at increased risk. Other factors that may increase the chances of a ventral hernia:
Symptoms TOPHernias produce a bulge under the skin. It may not cause any other symptoms. Sometimes you may notice pain that increases during the day. Activities that may cause pain include:
Sometimes a loop of intestine becomes trapped in the abdominal wall. This may lead to a blockage of the intestine. Strangulation can also occur if the hernia is slowing or blocking blood flow. Symptoms of a strangulated hernia include:
A strangulated hernia is a medical emergency and requires immediate surgery. Diagnosis TOPYou will be asked about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Imaging tests may include: Treatment TOPMany hernias enlarge over time. A hernia may be easily pushed back in, without causing any symptoms. In this case, your doctor may choose to watch it. Otherwise, surgery is usually performed to fix the weakened area of the abdominal wall. Surgery TOPHernias are repaired with surgery. During the surgery, the displaced organs are put back into place. The damaged wall is repaired. A piece of mesh may also be placed over the area to provide extra support. Prevention TOPTo help reduce the chances of a ventral hernia:
RESOURCES:American College of Gastroenterology http://patients.gi.org National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases https://www.niddk.nih.gov CANADIAN RESOURCES:Canadian Association of General Surgeons https://cags-accg.ca Health Canada https://www.canada.ca References:Hernias of the abdominal wall. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at:
https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gastrointestinal-disorders/acute-abdomen-and-surgical-gastroenterology/hernias-of-the-abdominal-wall. Updated January 2017. Accessed March 23, 2018. Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair from SAGES. Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons website. Available at:
https://www.sages.org/publications/patient-information/patient-information-for-laparoscopic-ventral-hernia-repair-from-sages. Accessed March 23, 2018. Mittal T, Kumar V, Khullar R, et al. Diagnosis and management of Spigelian hernia: areview of literature and our experience.
J Minim Access Surg. 2008;4(4):95-98. Ventral hernia. Dartmouth-Hitchcock website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Accessed March 23, 2018. Ventral hernia. UCSF Health website. Available at:
https://www.ucsfhealth.org/conditions/ventral_hernia. Accessed March 23, 2018. Last reviewed March 2018 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
Marcin Chwistek, MD Last Updated: 5/1/2014 |
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