Transcript Document
Abdominal Wall Hernias
Hernia
Definition: A hernia is an abnormal
protrusion of a viscus through the wall of
a cavity which normally contains it.
It may be through a congenital/acquired
opening
in the presence of continued or repeated
intra-abdominal pressure
Types of Hernias
Direct inguinal
hernia
Indirect inguinal
hernia
Femoral hernia
Obturator hernia
Sciatic hernia
Perineal hernia
Umbilical hernia
Paraumbilical
hernia
Epigastric hernia
Hiatus hernia
Diaphragmatic
hernia
Incisional hernia
Spigelian hernia
Development of a hernia
In young age group: congenital
potential space
In old age group: gradual onset and
slow enlargement due to weakness in
the abdominal wall
Predisposing factors
Congenital defect,
e.g.
persistence of processus vaginalis
incomplete obliteration of umbilicus
persistent communication between abd.
and thorax
• Acquired defect, e.g
surgical incisions
muscle weakness due to ageing/ nerve injury
and wasting/ fatty infiltration/ pregnancy
Precipitating factors
Chronic cough
constipation
straining at micturition
childbirth
vomiting
severe muscular effort
ascites - fluid may increase the size
of an existing sac
Contents in a Hernia
Usual: omentum, small bowel
Sliding hernia: content with partial
peritoneal cover such as: sigmoid
colon, urinary bladder
Ritcher’s hernia: part of the small
bowel wall was in the hernia with
perforation but no obstruction
The contents of the sac
Reducible
irreducible
obstructed, or
strangulated
Anatomy
ILIUM
ILIUM
SACRUM
The inguinal ligament runs
from the anterior superior iliac
spine to the pubic tubercle
Site / Origin
Inguinal
Inguino-scrotal
Isolated in scrotum
Groin hernias
indirect inguinal
direct inguinal
femoral
Nyhus Classification
Type I--indirect inguinal hernia
•Internal inguinal ring normal (i.e. paediatric hernia)
Type II--indirect inguinal hernia
•Dilated internal inguinal ring with posterior inguinal wall intact
Type III--posterior wall defects
•Direct inguinal hernia
•Indirect inguinal hernia: dilated internal ring with large medial
encroachment on
the transversalis fascia of the Hesselbach's
triangle (i.e. massive scrotal, sliding hernia)
•Femoral hernia
Type IV--recurrent hernia
Inguinal Hernias - Anatomy
Indirect inguinal hernia
most common in young males
enters the inguinal canal through
the deep ring
the sac often extends, following the
line of the spermatic cord (over the
pubic crest) into the scrotum
the neck of the sac is narrow
Direct inguinal hernia
Common in older men with weak
abdominal muscles
Often bilateral
the sac bulges forward thro’ the
posterior wall of the inguinal canal,
medial to the inferior epigastric
vessels
Does not extend into scrotum
the neck of the sac is wide
Femoral hernia
Less common than inguinal hernias
occur more frequently in females
the sac descends thro’ the femoral
ring and canal, thro’ the saphenous
opening of the fascia lata.
Blunts the groin crease
(both types of inguinal hernia increase
the crease)
it has a narrow neck
Main Points in History
Age: young or old?
Factors for increase abdominal
pressure
Started with a smaller swelling
Disappears on lying down
Gurgling noise inside the swelling
Pain and dragging discomfort
Intestinal obstruction
Physical Examination
Three important steps MUST be taken
Patient standing for the examination - cough
impulse and cannot get above the swelling
Lying down to reduce the hernia by patient
Try to hold back the hernia with the thumb
at the internal ring while standing will
distinguish direct from indirect inguinal
hernia
Anatomical Landmarks
Anterior superior iliac spine
Pubic tubercle
Inguinal ligament
Mid-inguinal point
Interrnal inguinal ring
To distinguish direct/indirect hernia
Examination of the patient with a
hernia
With the patient supine look for
signs of systemic toxicity
intestinal obstruction or
inflammation of the abdominal wall
visible bulge, effect on groin crease
and
a visible impulse on coughing
allow the patient to attempt reduction
of the hernia in the supine position
palpate for
cough impulse in the area of abdominal
wall weakness, note any tenderness
Reducible hernia;
place a finger over the deep ring and
allow the patient to stand
ask the patient to hold nose and blow
if the hernia appears after release of
your finger, then it is an INDIRECT
inguinal hernia
Scrotal Masses
Can you get ABOVE the swelling?
Where is the mass arising from?
The mass itself cystic/transilluminate?
The mass hard and the surface
irregular?
Scrotal swellings
Painful + firm
Painless + firm
Torsion
Acute inflammation (orchitis/ epididymitis)
Neoplasm
Chronic inflammation
haematoma
Soft
Varicocele
Hydrocele
Epididymal cyst
Varicocele
Grade 1 - palpable with Valsalva
Grade 2 - palpable without straining
Grade 3 - can be seen on inspection
Bag of worms in 15% of young man
More common on the left side
30% infertile patients have varicocele
Varicocele
Usually cause discomfort after running
Spermatogenesis impaired due to
hypoxia, elevated temperature and
reflux of metabolites
Treatment by Ligation of the veins
Varicocele in older man may indicate
left renal carcinoma with renal vein
involvement
Torsion of Testis
To distinguish from Orchitis
Both are acute painful swelling of the
testis
Treatment is different
Age, fever, venereal exposure…
Types of torsion - extra-vaginal, intravaginal,
Torsion of the undescended testis
Empty Scrotum
Undescended testis
Ectopic testis
Retractile testis
Hydrocele
Accumulation of fluid in the tunica
vaginalis
Short history - thin wall and
transilluminate
Long history - thick wall and ?previous
trauma
Cystic mass, the testis is within the
sac and therefore NOT palpable
Can get above the swelling
Surgery - Jaboulay’s operation
Trauma to the Scrotum
Haematocele of the testis
Rupture of the testis
Fracture of the penis
Trauma to the bulbous urethra
Laceration of the scrotal skin
Testicular Tumour
Hard and irregular swelling of the
testis
Spermatic cord normal
Types - germ cell, non germ cell,
secondary
metastasis, paratesticular tissues
Must palpate the abdomen for central
supra-umbilical masses (lymph nodes)
Indication for Surgery
Risk of complications such as
strangulation
and intestinal
obstruction
Pain and mass interfere with function
Conservative treatment
Principles of Surgery
Reduction of the contents
Excision of the hernial sac
Repair of the defect
Difficult in case of large hernia
and large defects
Historical developments
1700 BC:
Hammurabi (Babylon) – Hernia reduction / bandaging
1363 :
Guy de Chauliac – Distinguished inguinal from femoral hernia for the first time in
Chirugia Magna
1.
2.
3.
Reinforcing the anterior wall and narrowing the external ring
Eg Repair by ligation of hernial sac and cicatrization with healing by secondary intention
(Caspar Stromayr, 1559)
Reinforcing the posterior wall and narrowing the internal ring
1881
Splitting of external oblique + ligation of sac at internal ring (Lucas-Championnière)
1889
Suturing of threefold layer (internal oblique, tranversus abdominis + transversalis
fascia) to inguinal ligament (Bassini)
1939
Subcutaneous shift of spermatic cord (Kirschner)
1969
Duplication of transversalis fascia (Shearburn – as per Shouldice)
1987
Application of alloplastic material (Lichtenstein)
Reinforcing the posterior wall and narrowing the internal ring from intraabdominally
1891
During laparotomy for other indication (Tait)
1990
Laparoscopic hernia repair (Popp)
Hernien
Open hernia repair
Bassini
Shouldice
Lichtenstein
Robbins-Rutkow
Prolene Hernia System
CHIRURGISCHE KLINIK UK BENJAMIN FRANKLIN FU
BERLIN
Repair under Tension
1889 Bassini - Suturing of threefold layer (internal
oblique, tranversus abdominis + transversalis
fascia) to inguinal ligament
Tension created during repair with recurrence
rates generally around 10%
Best results reported by Shouldice using his
technique in a dedicated hernia hospital –
recurrence of only 0.8%
Hernioplastik n. Bassini
Bassini
CHIRURGISCHE KLINIK UK BENJAMIN FRANKLIN FU
BERLIN
Hernioplastik n. Shouldice
Shouldice
CHIRURGISCHE KLINIK UK BENJAMIN FRANKLIN FU
BERLIN
Hernioplastik n. Lichtenstein
Lichtenstein
CHIRURGISCHE KLINIK UK BENJAMIN FRANKLIN FU
BERLIN
Preperitoneal Approach
Originally described by Stoppa
Mesh placed between peritoneum and abdominal
wall
Precursor to laparoscopic repair techniques
The Lichtenstein Technique
Mesh repair popularised by Lichtenstein –
published a series of 1000 patients with no
recurrences in 1-5 yr follow-up
Mesh repair for ALL hernias
Local anaesthetic
Day case surgery
Same day ambulation
Am J Surg, 1989. 157 (2): 188-93
Lichtenstein Hernia Repair
Local anaesthetic
Prolene Hernia System
Hernien
Laparoscopic hernia repair
TEP (total extraperitoneal plasty)
TAPP (transabdominal preperitoneal plasty)
CHIRURGISCHE KLINIK UK BENJAMIN FRANKLIN FU
BERLIN
TEP - total extraperitoneale Hernioplastik
TEP (mesh between fascia
transversalis and peritoneum)
CHIRURGISCHE KLINIK UK BENJAMIN FRANKLIN FU
BERLIN
TAPP - transabdominelle praeperitoneale Hernioplastik
TAPP (mesh between fascia
transversalis and peritoneum)
CHIRURGISCHE KLINIK UK BENJAMIN FRANKLIN FU
BERLIN
Hernien
Complications
Relapse (no mesh: 10% - 20 %, mesh: ~ 2%)
Hematoma (10%)
Wound infection (< 5%)
Chronic pain (< 5%)
Scrotal edema with or w/o orchitis (< 2%)
CHIRURGISCHE KLINIK UK BENJAMIN FRANKLIN FU
BERLIN
Plug and mesh
Claimed advantages:
Evidence from trials:
Decreased operating time
Smaller incisions
Low recurrence rates
Little difference in operating times
Recurrence rates 0 – 2%
No difference in post-op pain / rehab
Review (ANZ J Surg, 2002, 72: 573-9):
No strong evidence for benefits over traditional mesh
repair
Preperitoneal Approach
Advantages:
Recurrent
hernia – different approach avoids operating
on distorted anatomy / scar tissue
May
repair bilateral hernias through Pfannenstiel or
midline incisions
Complications of Inguinal Hernia
Repair
Chronic pain
Infections
Others
Chronic pain
Persistent pain is the most troublesome
complication following inguinal hernia repair
Postulated mechanisms:
Nerve injury
Tension
Infection
Suture placement
Chronic Pain
Operative strategies to minimise chronic
pain:
Avoid placing periosteal sutures on the pubic
tubercle
Avoid undue tension on the inguinal ligament
Careful preservation of ilioinguinal and
genitofemoral nerves
Strategies to treat chronic post-op pain:
Division of ilioinguinal or genitofemoral nerve
Removal of mesh / sutures
Pain service referral - Tricyclics / anti-depressants
Infections
Infection rate in inguinal hernia wounds 1-2%
Superficial infections more common than deep
infections involving prosthesis
Operative techniques to avoid infection:
Meticulous asepsis
Minimise necrotic tissue / diathermy / desiccation
Wound lavage
Monofilament sutures
Perioperative antibiotics
? Topical antibiotics
Hiatal Hernia Overview
Chronic relapsing condition
Significant morbidity
Estimated lifetime prevalence of 2535 %
44% have heartburn once a month
14% have weekly symptoms
7 % have daily symptoms
Gastroesophageal Reflux
Diagnosis
History
Response to a PPI
Radiologic findings
Endoscopy
Ambulatory pH monitoring
History
Heartburn, regurgitation
High specificity, low sensitivity
Atypical Symptoms
Atypical chest pain
Hoarseness
Nausea
Cough
Odynophagia
Asthma
Globus sensation
Onset after age 45
Recurrent
laryngitis
Recurrent sore
throat
Subglottic stenosis
Dental enamel loss
Complications of Gerd
Dysphagia
Odynophagia
Early satiety
GI bleeding
Iron deficiency anemia
Vomiting
Weight loss
Response To PPI
Omeprazole 40 mg BID X 14 days
as specific and sensitive for
diagnosis as 24 hour pH monitoring
Failure to respond warrants further
investigation into patients
symptoms
Radiologic Findings
Only 1/3 of patients have radiologic
findings
Hiatal hernia
Erosions
Ulcerations
Strictures
Thickening of mucosal folds
Not the test of choice for diagnosis
Endoscopy
Useful for diagnosing complications
of GERD
Barrett’s
Esophagitis
Strictures
Not sensitive for GERD itself
Only 50% of patients manifest
evidence on endoscopy
EGD
EGD
EGD
Ambulatory pH Monitoring
Diagnostic gold standard
pH monitor placed in esophagus
above sphincter
Patient symptom log
Correlate symptoms with low pH
Treatment
Lifestyle modifications
Antacids
Histamine H2 receptor antagonists
Prokinetic Agents
Proton Pump inhibitors
Anti-reflux surgery
Newer endoscopic treatments
Lifestyle Modification
Head of bed elevated six inches
Decreased fat intake
Smoking cessation
Weight loss
Avoidance of recumbency for 3 hours
post-prandially
Avoidance of large meals and trigger
foods
Avoidance of exacerbating medications
Dietary Factors
Caffeine
Spicy foods
Peppermint
Citrus fruits
Fatty foods
Tomato products
Chocolate
Alcohol
Antacids
Antacids are appropriate initial tx
1/3 of patients use twice weekly
More effective than placebo
Adverse Effects Of Antacids
Aluminum: constipation,
hypophosphatemia, osteomalacia
Calcium: constipation, milk-alkali
syndrome, rebound hyperacidity
Magnesium: diarrhea, accumulation in
pts. with renal impairment
Sodium bicarb: milk-alkali in high
doses
Mag-Aluminum: minor changes in
bowel function
H2 Blockers
70% with reported relief within 2
weeks of initiating treatment
faster healing rates in patients with
erosive esophagitis compared with
placebo
Higher dosages increase
effectiveness
Prokinetic Agents
Do not neutralize acid
Increase both gastric emptying,
improve peristalsis and increase
lower esophageal sphincter
pressure
Side-effects: abdominal cramping,
diarrhea, prolonged QT and fatal
arrhythmias
Proton Pump Inhibitors
Failure of twice daily H2 blockers
83% of patients showed
improvement with PPI vs 50% with
H2 blocker
For erosive esophagitis, faster
healing rates than H2 blocker
At one year, pts tx’d with daily PPI
less likely to relapse
No significant difference between
the PPIs
Potential Long-term Complications
Hypergastrinemia, gastric carcinoid
tumors in rats
Atrophic gastritis with use of
prilosec > 5 years—potential
development of gastric CA
Increased risk of enteric infections—
campylobacter
Vitamin B malabsorption
Antireflux Surgery
Indications
Failed medical management
Patient preference for surgery despite
successful medical management
Complicated GERD
Large Hiatal Hernia
Atypical symptoms with reflux
documented on 24-hour pH monitoring
Surgical Candidates
Reflux esophagitis documented by
EGD
Normal esophageal motility by
manometry
Should have at least a partial
response to trial of acid suppression
therapy
Basic Tenets Of Surgery
Reduction of hiatal hernia
Repair of diaphragmatic hiatus
Strengthening of the GE junctiondiaphragm attachment
Strengthening of antireflux barrier
though gastric wrap around GE
junction (fundoplication)
75-90% effective at alleviating
heartburn and regurgitation
Surgical options for hiatal hernia
Nissen fundoplication
Collis gastroplasty
Partial fundoplication
Burma gastropexy
Nissen Fundoplication
Collis Gastroplasty
240o Partial fundoplication Belsey Mk IV
Post-surgical Complications
Solid food dysphagia: 10%
Gas/bloating: 7-10%
Diarrhea, nausea and early satiety:
< 10%
Within 3-5 years, 52% of patients
taking antireflux meds again
New Endoscopic Treatments
Stretta procedure: radiofrequency
heating of GE junction
Endoscopic gastroplasy (endocinch)
Less costly than conventional
surgery
Initial studies show decreased or
eliminated use of acid suppressant
meds in 50-75% of patients
Incisional Hernia
Any laparotomy associated with incisional
hernia rate of 14%
Technical failure in closure: tension, bites,
layers
Associated factors
Obesity
Infected case/wound
Diabetes
Multiple operations
malnourished
Genetically predetermined:collagen defect
Types of Surgery
Onlay
Sublay
Inlay
„Sublay” Mesh Insertion Technique
Anterior layer of rectus abdominis sheath
Rectus abdominis
Mesh
Posterior layer of rectus abdominis sheath
Peritoneum
„Onlay” Mesh Insertion Technique
Mesh
Anterior layer of rectus abdominis sheath
Rectus abdominis
Posterior layer of rectus abdominis sheath
Peritoneum
„Inlay” Mesh Insertion Technique
Anterior layer of rectus abdominis sheath
Rectus abdominis
Posterior layer of rectus abdominis sheath
Mesh
Peritoneum
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