hernia
(hĕr'nē-ă 
)
[L. hernia, rupture]
The protrusion of an anatomical structure through the wall that normally contains it. SYN: rupture (2).
SEE: illus.herniotomy.
hernial, hernioid,
(hĕr'nē-ăl, hĕr'nē-oyd‵)
adj.Etiology: Hernias may be caused by congenital defects in the formation of body structures, defects in collagen synthesis and repair, trauma, or surgery. Conditions that increase intra-abdominal pressures, e.g., pregnancy, obesity, weight lifting, straining (the Valsalva maneuver), and abdominal tumors, may also contribute to hernia formation.
Treatment: Surgical or mechanical reduction is the treatment of choice.
abdominal h.A hernia that protrudes through a defect or tear in the abdominal wall.
SEE: illus.
acquired h.A hernia that develops after birth, in contrast to a congenital hernia.
SEE: congenital hernia.
bladder h.A hernia of the bladder or part of the bladder through a normal or abnormal orifice.
complete h.A hernia in which the sac and its contents have passed through the aperture.
congenital h.A hernia existing from birth.
SEE: acquired hernia.
diaphragmatic h.A hernia of the abdominal contents into the thoracic cavity through an opening in the diaphragm. The condition may be congenital, acquired (traumatic), or esophageal.
direct inguinal h.An inguinal hernia in which the hernial sac protrudes through the abdominal wall within the Hesselbach triangle.
SEE: inguinal hernia.
encysted h.A scrotal hernia that is enveloped in its own sac and passes into the tunica vaginalis.
epigastric h.A hernia through a defect in the linea alba above the umbilicus.
fascial h.A hernia of muscular tissue through its fascial covering.
fatty h.A hernia of fat from its normal, anatomical position, as from behind the peritoneum into the inguinal canal.
femoral h.A hernia that protrudes behind the femoral sheath. SYN: crural hernia.
groin h.Indirect inguinal hernias, direct inguinal hernias, and femoral hernias considered collectively.
SEE: direct inguinal hernia; femoral hernia; indirect inguinal hernia.
hiatal h.A hernia of the stomach into the chest through the esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm.
SEE: Nursing Diagnoses Appendix.
incarcerated h.A hernia in which the presenting content cannot be returned to its site of origin, e.g., a hernia in which a segment of intestine cannot be returned to the abdominal cavity. It may produce pain or intestinal obstruction. If left untreated, an incarcerated hernia may cause strangulation of the bowel.
SEE: irreducible hernia.
incisional h.A hernia through a surgical scar.
incomplete h.A hernia that has not gone completely through the aperture.
indirect inguinal h.An inguinal hernia in which the hernial sac protrudes lateral to the inferior epigastric artery through the internal inguinal ring into the inguinal canal, often descending into the scrotum (in males) or labia (in females).
SEE: inguinal hernia.
inguinal h.The protrusion of a hernial sac containing intraperitoneal contents (such as intestine, omentum, or ovary) at the superficial inguinal ring. Inguinal hernias account for about 80% of all hernias.SYN: hernia inguinalis; lateral hernia; medial hernia; oblique hernia.
SEE: direct inguinal hernia; indirect inguinal hernia; sliding hernia; incarcerated ; interstitial hernia.
Preoperative: The surgical procedure and expected postoperative course are explained to the patient. The patient should understand that the surgery will repair the defect caused by the hernia but that surgical failures can occur. If the patient is undergoing elective surgery, recovery usually is rapid; if no complications occur, the patient probably will return home the same day as surgery and usually can resume normal activity within 4 to 6 weeks. Patients who undergo emergency surgery for a strangulated or incarcerated hernia may remain hospitalized longer commensurate with the degree of intestinal involvement. The patient is prepared for surgery.
SEE: incarcerated hernia; strangulated hernia.
Postoperative: Vital signs are monitored. The patient is instructed to change his or her position to avoid undue stress on the wound area. Stool softeners may be administered to prevent straining during defecation, and the patient is instructed in their use. Early ambulation is encouraged, but other physical activities are modified according to the surgeon's instructions. The patient should void before discharge and be able to tolerate oral fluids. The patient is taught to check the incision and dressing for drainage, inflammation, and swelling and to monitor his or her temperature for fever; if any of these occur, they should be reported to the surgeon. Analgesics are administered as prescribed, and the patient is taught about their use and supplied with a prescription for home use. Male patients are advised that scrotal swelling can be reduced by supporting the scrotum on a rolled towel and applying an ice bag. The patient is warned to avoid lifting heavy objects or straining during bowel movements. Drinking plenty of fluids should help the patient prevent constipation and maintain hydration. The patient is advised to make and keep a postoperative surgical visit and to resume normal activity and return to work only as permitted by the surgeon.
h. inguinalis Inguinal hernia.
internal h.A hernia within the abdominal cavity. It may be intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal.
interstitial h.Inguinal hernia
irreducible h.A hernia that cannot be returned to its original position out of its sac by manual methods.
SEE: incarcerated hernia.
labial h.The protrusion of a loop of bowel or other intraperitoneal organ into the labia majora.
lumbar h.A hernia through the inferior lumbar triangle (Petit) or the superior lumbar triangle (Grynfelt). It occurs most often in association with surgery on the kidneys or ureters.
mesocolic h.A hernia between the layers of the mesocolon.
obturator h.A hernia through the obturator foramen.
omental h.A hernia containing a portion of the omentum.
ovarian h.The presence of an ovary in a hernial sac.
parastomal h.A hernia in the abdominal wall adjacent to a constructed stoma, e.g., a colostomy or iliostomy.
perineal h.A hernia in the region of the perineum, between the rectum and vagina or between the rectum and prostate. SYN: perineocele.
phrenic h.A hernia projecting through the diaphragm into one of the pleural cavities.
posterior vaginal h.Enterocele (2).
properitoneal h.A hernia located between the parietal peritoneum and the transversalis fascia.
reducible h.A hernia whose contents can be restored to its normal position by manipulation.
SEE: illus. .
retroperitoneal h.A hernia protruding into the retroperitoneal space, e.g., duodenojejunal hernia or Treitz hernia.
SEE: Richter hernia.
scrotal h.A hernia that descends into the scrotum.
sliding h.An indirect inguinal hernia in which a portion of the wall of the protruding cecum or sigmoid colon is part of the hernial sac, the rest composed of parietal peritoneum.
SEE: inguinal hernia.
Spigelian h.A defect that occurs at or below the linea semicircularis but above the point at which the inferior epigastric vessels cross the lateral border of the rectus abdominis muscle. This type of hernia may contain preperitoneal fat or may be a peritoneal sac containing intraperitoneal contents. It is rare and difficult to diagnose unless large, because it is typically not palpable when small. Large Spigelian hernias may be mistaken for sarcomas of the abdominal wall. Ultrasonography or computed tomography scans are often used in diagnosis.
Small Spigelian hernias are easily repaired; larger ones may require a prosthesis.
strangulated h.A hernia in which the protruding viscus is so tightly trapped that gangrene results, requiring prompt surgery. Once strangulation of the contents occurs, a nonsurgical attempt to reduce it may severely compromise treatment and outcome.
SEE: incarcerated hernia.
synovial h.A hernia of a portion of synovial membrane through a tear in the stratum fibrosum of a joint capsule.
umbilical h.A hernia occurring at the navel, seen mostly in children. Usually it requires no therapy if small and asymptomatic. An umbilical hernia usually resolves when the child begins to walk (and muscles strengthen).
uterine h.The presence of the uterus in the hernial sac.