This document provides an overview of inguinal hernias. It defines a hernia as the protrusion of an organ through a weakness in the muscle wall. It then discusses the epidemiology, types, anatomy, etiology, pathogenesis, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and complications of inguinal hernias. The treatment options covered are herniotomy, herniorrhaphy, and laparoscopic repair techniques like the Lichtenstein method. The prognosis is typically good, though there is a small risk of recurrence.

1. .
PRESENTED BY:
INUSAH ADAMS
(Ternopil State Medical Univ.)
Nov, 2013

2. PLAN OF PRESENTATION
 DEFINITION
 EPIDEMIOLOGY
 TYPES
 ANATOMY
 ETIOLOGY
 PATHOGENESIS
 SIGNS &SYMPTOMS
 DIAGNOSIS/INVESTIGATIONS
 DIFFERENTIALS
 TREATMENT
 COMPLICATIONS
 HERNIORRHAPHY
 PROGNOSIS

3. What is hernia?

It is the outlet of the visceral organs
from their physiological placement
through natural channels or defects of
the abdominal and pelvic wall.

4. Epidemiology
Hernias comprise approximately 7% of all
surgical outpatient visits.
 Male: female ratio is 8:1.
 They affect 1-3% of young children.
 In men, the incidence rises from 11 per
10,000 person-years, aged 16-24 years,
 200 per 10,000 person-years, aged 75
years or above.[1]


5. Classification of abdominal
Hernias? hernias
 Etiology: Congenital and acquired
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1.
2.
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6.
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Anatomical location
Inguinal hernia
Femoral hernia
Umbilical hernia
Epigastric hernia
Diaphragmatic hernia
Incisional/recurrent hernia
clinical presentations: incarcerated hernia
(complete and incomplete), reducible and
nonreducible, complicated and
noncomplicated.
External (through wall of abdomen) and
internal (through the peritoneum) hernias

6. What is the etiology of hernia?
Risk factors are:
 Malformation of abdominal wall
 sex
 age
 hereditary
 Obesity
 Ascites
 weight loss
 postoperative scar
 improper weight lifting
 Chronic Constipation
 chronic cough
 pregnancy

7. What is the pathogenesis of
hernia?
1.
2.
3.
incomplete closure of the abdominal
wall in case of congenital hernia
increased abdominal pressure
increasing dehiscence of fascial
structure with accompanying loss of
abdominal wall strength

8. Where are the most common
sites of hernias?

10. Describe the inguinal canal
Site: is situated just above the medial half of
the inguinal ligament.
 Content: It transmits the spermatic cord
(male) and the round ligament (female);
the ilioinguinal nerve.
 Length: approx.. 3.75 to 4 cm (4-5cm)
 Direction: It is obliquely directed
anteroinferiorly and medially
 Boundaries/walls:
Superior wall: fasciae of internal oblique and
transversal abdominal muscles
Inferior wall: inguinal ligament
Anterior wall: fascia of a external oblique
abdominal muscle
Posterior wall: fascia of transverse abdominal
muscle


13. What is inguinal hernia?
hernia in which a loop of intestine enters
the inguinal canal
 They make up 75% of all abdominal wall
hernias

Types of inguinal hernia
Direct and indirect
-Reducible vs. irreducible
-Strangulated hernias
-unilateral or bilateral

14. .

15. .
Indirect inguinal hernia: protrusion of
parts of the intestines into the inguinal
canal via the internal/deep inguinal ring.
Its sac is lateral to the inferior epigastric
artery

Direct inguinal canal: protrusion of
parts of the intestines into the inguinal
canal through a weak point in the fascia
of the abdominal wall.
Its sac is medial to the inferior epigastric
artery.


16. Differences b/n indirect & direct
inguinal hernias?
Indirect inguinal hernia
Direct inguinal hernia
Hernia gate is deep inguinal ring
Hernia gate is in Inguinal space
Hernia sac is lateral to the
spermatic cord or inferior
epigastric vessel
Hernia sac is medial to the
spermatic cord or inferior
epigastric vessel
Shape: oval
Shape: round
It can be acquired or congenital
It can Only be acquired

17. 3 elements of hernia
 Hernia
gate
 Hernia
sac (3 parts; neck, body and
fundus)
 Hernia
content

18. Signs and symptoms?
 swelling/protrusion
 Weakness
or pressure in the groin
 Pain
or discomfort in the groin, especially
when bending over, coughing or lifting
 Occasionally,
pain and swelling around
the testicles when the protruding
intestine descends into the scrotum
 Severe pain in strangulated hernia

19. Physical examination of
patient?

Examine the patient (inspection and
palpation) both standing and lying
positions

Place your finger on the swelling and
instruct patient to cough or strain

positive symptom of "cough push“ is
elicited in case of hernia

20. Assessment of inguinal hernia
(Symptom of the "cough push"

21. what can be done to diagnose
hernia?
 Anamnesis
(weight lifting, chronic cough or
constipation, previous abdominal surgeries
etc.)
 physical
examination.
(Digital investigation of the hernia channel)
 Sonography of the hernia pouch.
 herniography with injection of X-ray
agent into the peritoneum
 Common blood analysis.
 Bacteriological examinations
 Common urine analysis.
contrast

22. Ultrasound of right inguinal
hernia

23. Differential diagnosis of inguinal
hernia?
DISEASE
FINDINGS
1. Abscess of groin region
Hyperemia of skin, fluctuation,
intoxication syndrome, constant
pain, leukocytosis, bacterieia
2. Femoral hernia
Protrusion below inguinal canal
3. Undescended testes
Empty scrotum, negative’’ cough
push’’ symptom, ultrasound shows
testes in abdomen
4. Varicocele
Feeling of heaviness in the testicle
Mild to Moderate pain
Visible or palpable enlarged vein
5. Testicular torsion
Acute onset, severe pain, testicle is
positioned high than normal,

25. . Left-sided varicocele

26. How can diagnosis of hernia be
formulated?
Location
 Type
 Reducible vs. irreducible
 Complication (s)

Dx: Indirect Right inguinal
hernia, irreducible with strangulation

27. What are the treatment options
of inguinal hernia?

Treatment of a hernia depends on whether
it is reducible or irreducible and possibly
strangulated.
◦ Reducible hernia
 Can be treated with surgery but does not have to be.
◦ Irreducible hernia
 Urgent surgical treatment because of the risk of
strangulation.
 An attempt to push the hernia back can be made
◦ Strangulated hernia
 Emergency operation

28. What are the possible
complications of hernia?

Incarcerated (irreducible hernia)
Strangulated hernia
Signs and symptoms of strangulated
hernia:
 Nausea, vomiting or both
 Fever
 Rapid heart rate
 Sudden pain that quickly intensifies
 A hernia bulge that turns red, purple or
dark
 Absent bowel sounds on auscultation


29. Herniotomy & Herniorrhaphy

Open method and

Laparoscopic method

30. Anterior abdominal wall layers

31. Preoperative care
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History, physical findings, Lab. Works:
blood test, grouping and crossmatching, urinalysis, ultrasound, etc.
signed informed consent form
anesthesiologist examination and
recommendation
NPO, urinary catheter if necessary
correction of hemodynamics; IV access
for fluids, drugs (sedatives, antibiotics
etc.)
Explanation of the procedure to patient
and Reassurance

32. Steps of Herniotomy
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Skin incision (3-5cm) above and parallel to
inguinal ligament, then subcutaneous tissue
Ligation of superficial epigastric vein
Opening of scarpa’s fascia
Opening of external oblique aponeurosis (follow
fiber direction and avoid nerve damage;
ilioinguinal, genitofemoral, iliohypogastric
nerves,)
Identify inguinal ligament (poupart’s ligament)
Isolate spermatic cord (using a Penrose drain for
convenient retraction)
Dissect the spermatic cord (using the index
finger in a sweeping and medially encircling
fashion) to the internal ring
Identify and isolate hernia sac (peritoneum)
Reposition hernia into abdominal cavity
Close the defect

33. Steps of Herniorrhaphy
(Lichtenstein technique)
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Identify the conjoint tendon (lateral rectus border)
First suture on lateral rectus border (not on pubic
tubercle) to the mesh and tie securely but not too
tight
Then over (not through) pubic tubercle
Suture to lower part of inguinal ligament
Proceed until just beyond the internal inguinal ring
Create a new internal ring and attach upper part
of mesh to inguinal ligament
Size the mesh and secure upper part with single
sutures
Close external oblique aponeurosis, then scarpa’s
fascia
Suture skin, infiltrate local anesthetic and apply
sterile dressing

35. Video (Lichtenstein
technique)
.

36. Herniorrhapy (Bassini Repair)
tension method
A technique in which the surgeon
sutures the conjoined tendon to the
inguinal ligament, which slides the
patient’s own muscles together to cover
the hole in the abdominal wall and
repair the hernia.

37. Conjoint tendon (falx inguinalis)
Common tendon of insertion of the transversus
and obliquus internus muscles into the crest
and spine of the pubis and iliopectineal line

38. Postoperative care
Patient is discharged the same day of
operation once anesthesia wears off,
but some may need to stay in the
hospital overnight.
 Drugs: only analgesic is necessary
 Diet: start with sips of water, if patient
can take it then semi-liquid foods until
he can tolerate solid foods
 Wound dressing until removal of
sutures


39. Possible complications after
herniorrhapy
chronic pain
 ejaculation disorders
 Hemorrhage
 infection
 adhesions
 Impotency
 Recurrent hernias


40. Prognosis?
The outcome of this surgery is usually
very good. In a few persons, the hernia
returns.