Disorder - Hernia

Organ Systems Involved
Musculoskeletal

Alternative disorders described within LIDA

Hernia, peritoneopericardial; Hernia, pleuroperitoneal; Hernia, hiatal; Hernia, umbilical; Hernia, inguinal; Hernia, scrotal; Hernia, perineal

Presenting Signs

Hernia refers to protrusion of part of an organ or tissue through the structures that normally contain it. Congenital hernias may involve the diaphragm or the abdominal wall.

Diaphragmatic hernias include:

• peritoneopericardial: abdominal contents are found extending into the pericardial sac (space lining the heart)
  
• pleuroperitoneal: abdominal contents are found within the pleural cavity (space lining the lungs)
  
• hiatal: portions of the oesophagus protrude through the opening in the diaphragm into the chest cavity.
  
  Abdominal wall hernias include:
  
• umbilical: abdominal contents protrude under the skin at the point of the umbilicus
  
• inguinal: Abdominal contents protrude adjacent to the inguinal canal
  
• scrotal: abdominal contents protrude through the inguinal canal into the groin area. Clinical signs vary from no symptoms to severe symptoms. This depends on the location and amount of herniated tissue, and its effect on the organ or tissue it is displacing. Severe cases result in loss of blood supply to the tissue and subsequent cell death.

Cats at Risk

This depends on the specific hernia.

Treatment

Surgical: treatment usually involves surgically replacing the organ or tissue into its normal anatomical position, removing any redundant tissue, and securely closing the hernia site to prevent recurrence.

PubMed References
Hernia

Contributor
Tristan Maugueret