SPIGELIAN HERNIA

Hernia is caused due to the protrusion of an internal organ through some weakness in the holding wall. Spigelian hernia is also called as lateral ventral hernia. Spigelian hernia occurs when there is a tear or a weak point in the thin muscular wall of the abdomen. This hernia penetrates through the muscles of the abdominal wall because of which there is no notable swelling. This hernia develops at or below the lines arcuata. Most of these hernias are small and develop around the age of fifty and affects men and women equally.

SYMPTOMS

The main symptom of the Spigelian hernia is the presence of a soft, reducible mass in the lower abdominal area and the pain. The pain is limited to the area where the hernia has occurred. This pain immensely increases by any movement that the person does and raises the intra abdominal pressure. Later the pain becomes duller, constant and diffuses. The person also becomes uncomfortable. When the mass is reduced, the hernia orifice can be felt. The Spigelian hernia if not addressed in time can lead to high incidence of incarceration and strangulation.

EFFECTS

The size of the hernia increases with the time. It spreads along the lower abdomen and is more likely to catch the scortum in very short span of time. It is not much painful to the victim but creates a lot of inconvenience to him. They can be seen beneath the clothes and their size brings much inconvenience and embarrassment in the public. There is a minor chance of getting the intestine trapped within the bulge and result in the obstruction of blood flow. This is extremely painful and requires the immediate untwisting of the intestine from the bulge. Regardless of the pain factor proper care must be taken. Incision hernia is a defect in the abdominal wall and should be treated immediately.

PRECAUTIONS AND TREATMENT

There are no precautions to avoid this hernia. The diagnosis of this hernia is difficult when the hernia dissects within the layers of the abdominal wall. However, ultrasound and CT scan helps to diagnose this hernia. The only best treatment to this hernia is surgery. In the surgery, muscles attached by a small aponeurotic membrane are closed. To cure Spigelian hernia, surgery is a must because it does not resolve on its own. If the patient is healthy enough, a surgery can be carried out immediately. However it should be realized that the Spigelian hernia cannot be pushed back into the abdomen by applying pressure might get trapped. If the hernia is palpable then for its operation, a gridiron incision is the most suitable. However, if it is not possible to palpate the hernia preoperatively, dissection through a vertical incision has to be done.