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Epigastric hernia

Field	Value
image	Epigastric hernia.jpg
caption	Abdominal ultrasound of a midline epigastric hernia.
specialty	general surgery

An epigastric hernia is a type of hernia that causes fat to push through a weakened area in the walls of the abdomen. It may develop in the epigastrium (upper, central part of the abdomen). Epigastric hernias are more common in adults and usually appear above the umbilical region of the abdomen. It is a common condition that is usually asymptomatic although sometimes their unusual clinical presentation can present a diagnostic dilemma for the clinician. Unlike the benign diastasis recti, epigastric hernia may trap fat and other tissues inside the opening of the hernia, causing pain and tissue damage. It is usually present at birth and may appear and disappear only when the patient is doing an activity that creates abdominal pressure, pushing to have bowel movements, or crying.

Symptoms

Pain
tenderness
redness
Impulse on cough

Causes

Obesity
Pregnancy.
Frequent heavy lifting
Genetic defects
Aging
Severe vomiting

Diagnosis

Computed tomography scans of the suspected areas with intravenous contrast can assist in diagnosis. Doctors are also able to identify whether it is a suspected hernia by palpating the affected area.

Ultrasonography is also used for diagnostic purposes.

Treatment

Symptomatic epigastric hernias are repaired with surgery.

Prognosis

Epigastric hernia becomes a problem when the hernia becomes incarcerated or loses blood supply to that area. This can be life-threatening.

References

Norton, Jeffrey A.. (2003). "Essential practice of surgery: basic science and clinical evidence". Springer.
(23 July 2017). "Epigastric hernia: Causes, repair, and recovery".
(October 1999). "Illustrated review of new imaging techniques in the diagnosis of abdominal wall hernias". The British Journal of Surgery.
"Abdominal Wall Hernias {{!}} Michigan Medicine".
(2018-10-05). "Comparative Study between Drained and Drainless Sub-rectal Mesh Hernioplasty in Paraumbilical Hernia". Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine.

Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

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