Acute Traumatic Ventral Hernia

Abstract

A traumatic abdominal wall hernia is a rare type of hernia, which follows blunt trauma to the abdomen, where disruption of the musculature and fascia occurs, with the overlying skin remaining intact. Associated abdominal injuries are infrequent. An elderly male patient was seen in emergency within 6 hrs of alleged history of bull gore injury, while working in the fields; he presented with complaints of pain abdomen and swelling in the right side of lower abdomen. On Examination, soft, tender swelling is noted in RIF with overlying contusion, which increased in size over the next two days, with expansile cough impulse. Swelling was completely reducible and visible peristalsis seen.USG Abdomen showed defect in right iliac fossa abdominal wall with bowel loops in subcutaneous plane. A local exploration was performed incorporating the site of injury. A defect in all layers of abdominal wall muscles in right iliac fossa with intact skin and subcutaneous tissue was found. Primary tension free repair of the defect in layers done with inlay placement of prolene mesh due to poor abdominal muscle tone. A high index of clinical suspicion is essential, as an accompanying hematoma often confounds the diagnosis. Mesh repair is desirable in the elderly with weak anterior abdominal wall so as to prevent the long-term complications of recurrences.