nurse's notes

ABDOMINAL HERNIA- is the protrusion of a viscus through the wall of the cavity in which it is naturally contained and may result from congenital or acquired weakness of the abdominal wall
TYPES:
1. Inguinal hernia

• indirect inguinal hernia-due to weakness of the abdominal wall at the point through which the spermatic cord emerges (in the male) and the round ligament (in the female). Extends to inguinal canal and often to the scrotum ( for male) and labia ( for female)
• direct inguinal hernia-passes through the posterior inguinal wall and this is more difficult to repair than indirect

2. Femoral hernia- appears below the groin and frequent in women

3. Umbilical hernia- when umbilical orifice failed to closed . Common also to obese person and children when there is a protrusion of the umbilicus

4. Ventral or incisional hernia due to weakness of the abdominal wall usually occur to an infected previous abdominal operation with drainage.

Complication:

• irreducible- adhesion form between sac and its contents
• incarcerated - intestinal flow is completely obstructed
• strangulated - blood and intestinal flow is completely obstructed
  

Sign and Symptoms:

• abdominal pain
• vomiting
• swelling of hernial sac