What Types of Abdominal Wall Defects Are There?

Discussion Abdominal wall defects are common in pediatric and adult patients. Pediatric patients not surprisingly have more congenital defects and adults have more that are spontaneously acquired and some are due to surgeries. Adults often have more complications of their defects also. Defects are usually classified by location. Learning Point Types of abdominal wall defects include: Congenital or Spontaneous Epigastric Rectus muscles fail to approximate at the linea alba between the umbilicus and xyphoid process. Usually presents as painless bulge Occurs to 5% of children Incarceration is uncommon in children but much more common in adults Usually repaired Umbilical hernia Umbilicus fails to close in first weeks of infancy Occurs in 10-20% of children Usually close by 2-3 years Incarceration and strangulation are rare in children but more common in adults. Repair usually around 3-5 years For more information about umbilical hernias, click here. For a differential diagnosis of umbilical masses, click here. Groin hernia – inguinal and femoral hernias Inguinal hernias occurs in about 1-5% of infants and femoral hernias occur in < 1% Most inguinal hernias are indirect (i.e. the hernia passes through the internal inguinal ring and down the inguinal canal); only 2% of all hernias in children are direct hernias (i.e. the hernia directly protrudes through the floor of the inguinal canal). Incarceration and strangulation are common These will not close and need repai...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news