Abdominal Wall Hernia[edit]

An abdominal wall hernia, also called a ventral hernia, is an opening or area of weakness in the abdominal wall through which abdominal contents can protrude, or it is a bulge is your belly. The bulge is made by your small intestine when it pushes through a small hole or weak area in the wall of your belly. The abdominal wall is thick and tough in most places, so hernias usually occur where a previous opening has closed. An opening can also develop on its own or when you strain.

Signs and Symptoms[edit]

An abdominal wall hernia is very common, particularly in men. Heavy lifting or straining may make a hernia more obvious or bigger but does not cause a hernia to form. An abdominal wall hernia may or may not cause pain.

Signs[edit]

Noticeable bulging but little discomfort
Steady pain that gets worse with time
Feeling sick to your stomach and throwing up
Tenderness of the bulge when touched
Sometimes, redness of the skin around the badge

Diagnosis[edit]

Diagnosis is made by physical examination and sometimes ultrasonography (ultrasound) or a computed tomography scan (CT scan).

Different Types of Abdominal Wall Hernias[edit]

Umbilical hernias

Umbilical hernias occur around the navel, or belly button (umbilicus). Many babies have a small umbilical hernia because the opening for the umbilical cord blood vessels did not close completely. In infants, umbilical hernias are rarely strangulate and are therefore not treated. Most go away without treatment within several years. Very large umbilical hernias may be repaired after the infant is 2 years old. In younger children, doctors sometimes monitor umbilical hernias to see whether they close on their own. In adults, abdominal wall hernias can cause cosmetic concerns and can be repaired at a time that is convenient for the person (call elective surgery). Although umbilical hernias in adults do not usually strangulate and incarcerate, these complications can occur. For some adults umbilical hernias are caused due to obesity, pregnancy, or excess fluid in the abdomen (ascites).

Epigastric hernias

Epigastric hernias are formed through natural small defects in the midline of the upper abdominal wall (above the umbilicus and below your rib cage).

Incisional hernias

Incisional hernias are sometimes formed through a surgical incision in the abdominal wall. These may develop years after surgery.

Inguinal hernia

Inguinal hernias are formed in the crease of your groin or in your scrotum (the sac around your testicles).

Femoral hernias

Femoral hernias are formed just below the crease of your groin in the middle of your upper thigh.

Treatment[edit]

Typically, abdominal wall hernias are treated with surgery. However, if surgery is not required, then you or your doctor can usually push the bulge back into place or it can simply go away over time.

References[edit]

Ansari, P. (n.d.). Abdominal Wall Hernias. Retrieved April 2020, from https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/digestive-disorders/gastrointestinal-emergencies/abdominal-wall-hernias
Quick Facts: Abdominal Wall Hernias. (2019, August). Retrieved from https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/quick-facts-digestive-disorders/gastrointestinal-emergencies/abdominal-wall-hernias
Livingston, E. H. (2016, October 18). What Is an Abdominal Wall Hernia? Retrieved from https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2569785
Wedro, B. (2019, September 27). Hernia Symptoms, Signs, Types, Treatment, Surgery & Pictures. Retrieved from https://www.medicinenet.com/hernia_overview/article.htm
Abdominal Wall Hernias. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.uofmhealth.org/conditions-treatments/surgery/abdominal-wall-hernias

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