Ventral hernia (bulging of the abdominal wall)

Description

Soft spot on the abdominal wall which allows protrusion of abdominal organs through that defect. If the intestinessqueeze through the weaken spot, they can get incarcerated. Sometimes a blood supply to the intestines stops and they dies, which leads to potentially lethal infection. Ventral hernias can appear after surgery with more chances for appearance in obese patients. Ventral hernias which involve navel are called umbilical hernias.

Symptoms

Soft bulge on the stomach which enlarges while coughing, crying or strain, and reduces with relaxing. The protruded surface can be sensible to touch. If it comes to the bowel incarceration, vomiting, abdominal pain and distension of abdominal cavity occur.

Overview

Anamnesis will be taken and medical examination will be done. A doctor usually notices hernia during the examination. Occasionally CT scan or MRI is done for confirming the diagnosis.

Tests

CT scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Specialists

General Practice, General Surgery, Internal Medicine

Therapy

No therapy is needed in some hernias. The hernias which are pretty painful or in which the abdominal content has been trapped in the defect require surgical intervention. If the intestinal incarceration occurs due to its content in the hernia, surgical proceeding must be done as soon as possible to prevent death of the intestines. If the intestines remain without blood supply (strangulation) and die, they can burst, which results in the infection of the abdominal cavity (peritonitis) and potentially death.