The author - Chuklin Olga, general practitioner, internist. Work experience since 2003.
Ventral hernia is called subcutaneous abdominal protrusion, the protrusions are filled with internal organs. Ventral hernias are formed in places where there is a weakness of the muscular wall. Hernias may be formed in the scrotum, the skin of the anterior abdominal wall, chest cavity, inguinal region.
Kinds
The following types of abdominal hernias in adults:
- inguinal;
- umbilical;
- thigh;
- diaphragmatic.
View herniation determined by the place of education herniation.
hernia also allocate origin:
- birth;
- acquired (most often among them there are traumatic and post-operative).
Clinical symptoms of a hernia can be subdivided into:
- vpravimye - hernial protrusion can easily straighten the abdomen.
- nevpravimye - it is impossible to straighten bulging of the abdominal cavity.
- disadvantaged - developed compression of internal organs in place at the entrance to hernial protrusion.
Causes of
Most often the disease occurs in males over 50 years, patients with obesity.
The main reason for the formation of abdominal hernia is considered a characteristic of the abdominal wall structure, where there are areas of weakness.
For the formation of intra-abdominal pressure abdominal hernia in a man must rise, which is observed in the following situations:
- physical exercise;
- during pregnancy and childbirth;
- chronic constipation;
- frequent cough;
- obesity.
The weakness of the abdominal wall can occur after injuries, operations - develops a violation of the integrity of the muscle layer of the abdominal wall.
People with well-developed muscle layer of the abdominal hernias occur much less frequently.
Symptoms of abdominal hernia
Abdominal hernia develops gradually and is long. Observed its gradual formation.
Protrusions can occur in various areas - in the groin, in the umbilicus, in postoperative suture femoral region.
At the initial stage of the hernial protrusion only occurs when coughing, physical exertion, in a standing position. In this case, the patient can see the bump in the abdomen. Such easily reduce a hernia alone.
In the future, there is an expansion of the hernia opening protrusion is increased and there is already permanent. It reduces a hernia alone only in the horizontal position of the patient, when abdominal pressure is minimal.
Further, with an increase in pathological changes hernial protrusion not reduce a self, it can only straighten your fingers.
On palpation education soreness arises. Pain can occur during exercise.
Ventral hernia in the early stages do not cause pronounced discomfort to patients.
Treated patients in most cases because of the apparent cosmetic defect.
Infringement of an abdominal hernia
But may be complicated by the development of abdominal hernias - strangulated hernia. Wall hernias are compressed, and develops content infringement herniation. In this case, the patient's pain is caused, not reduce a hernia, it is dense to the touch. This process may be accompanied by the development of ileus and peritonitis.
Attention! you can not try to straighten their own bodies during the development of infringement of hernia back, the patient needs emergency medical care.
Symptoms of inguinal hernia
Inguinal hernias are most common in men over 50 years.
Its main symptoms are:
- formation of protrusions at the groin (predominantly unilateral);
- increases scrotum;
- may become more frequent urination;
- pain during stress.
Symptoms of an umbilical hernia
Umbilical hernias occur much less frequently, and are found mainly in women during pregnancy, childbirth.
With minimum dimensions herniation patients there are no symptoms of the disease.
Symptoms appear during the development of a hernia of large size, there are the following symptoms:
- pain in the navel;
- constipation;
- nausea;
- belching;
- rumbling in the stomach;
- discomfort in the umbilical region.
Manifestations of abdominal hernias diaphragmatic
Diaphragmatic hernia can not be seen, as there is a protrusion of organs in the chest cavity.
The following symptoms may occur:
- heartburn;
- belching;
- nausea.
Identify the type of abdominal hernia is only possible during the endoscopic examination.
Other types of abdominal hernias
Postoperative hernias occur forming protrusions in the postoperative scar may be pain and discomfort.
Femoral hernias are rare, occur mostly in women after pregnancy and childbirth.
May include the following symptoms:
- forming protrusions in the groin, the front of the thigh;
- pain in groin;
- discomfort in the groin area.
Diagnostics
In most cases, a patient diagnosis is established after a survey examination of the patient as a surgeon.
To clarify the diagnosis can be carried out:
- ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity (detected hernial protrusion);
- CT scans are very rare;
- in complex clinical situations carried abdominoscopy (endoscopic examination of the abdominal cavity with camcorder sensor).
Difficulties in diagnosis does not usually occur.
Treatment for abdominal hernias
Important! All abdominal hernias are subject to surgical treatment.
Conservative treatment is a forced measure and is temporary in nature.
By conservative treatment include:
- bandage;
- corsets;
- dressings with pelota (pelota - part of the bandage pressing on hernial protrusion).
It applies:
- during pregnancy;
- in the presence of severe concomitant disease;
- in oncology.
Surgical treatment of abdominal hernias is their removal, sutured hernial opening.
Widely used in recent years plastic hernial art using synthetic prosthetic implant (mesh). Synthetic meshes are available in different shapes and sizes, allowing you to select the desired size, depending on the type and location of the hernia.
After the surgery patients are encouraged to physical rest and elimination of physical activity for a period of approximately two months (scar tissue formation).
Also, within two months, the patient should wear a bandage.
complications
A major complication of abdominal hernias is their denial. To prevent this you need as soon as possible to carry out surgical treatment. In the case of infringement of a hernia it is necessary to call an ambulance, the patient will be performed emergency surgery.
prevention
To prevent the development of abdominal hernia is necessary to eliminate the factors that contribute to increased intra-abdominal pressure:
- Avoid heavy physical exertion associated with weight lifting;
- normalization of the intestine to prevent constipation development;
- wearing a brace during pregnancy;
- body weight reduction in the presence of obesity.
