An eventration is a hernia (protrusion of an organ or tissue from the body cavity where it is normally located) that occurs at the incision site of a previous abdominal operation.
It occurs as a result of poor healing after abdominal surgery. Factors that may be involved include obesity, advanced age, malnutrition, ascites or liver and kidney problems, the presence of a postoperative haematoma, smoking or chronic cough, a history of multiple pregnancies, and heavy lifting or strenuous exercise.
The most common symptom is the appearance of a deformity in the abdominal wall at or near the scar. This is usually accompanied by discomfort and pain, the degree of which can vary. Other complications that may occur are changes in the functioning of the intestinal transit, leading to episodes of obstruction, episodes of incarceration (the intestines are trapped in the hernia) and strangulation (marked reduction in the circulation of the contents of the intestine or colon), which may lead to perforation of the intestine.
Diagnosis is made by clinical history and physical examination, confirmed by imaging tests such as ultrasound and/or CT scan.
Treatment is surgical to relieve the discomfort, pain or possible complications caused by the perforation.
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