External abdominal wall hernias in Abia State University teaching hospital, Aba.

Background : External abdominal wall hernias are common surgical conditions worldwide. In Africa, they not only make up a significant part of the surgeons workload, but are a major cause of mechanical intestinal obstruction. They are a leading cause of work loss and disability with lethal complications at times. Knowledge of external abdominal hernias is essential for the doctor. This study examines the pattern of anterior abdominal wall hernias in Abia state University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), Aba, Nigeria. Objective : To determine the pattern of external abdominal wall Hernias in adults in ABSUTH. Materials and Method : This is a one year retrospective study. Records of adult patients (18 years and above) seen at Surgical Out Patient Department of ABSUTH from April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014 were retrieved and relevant information extracted. These were analyzed for age, sex and type of hernia using simple ratios and proportions Result : 112 patients with 114 hernias were seen during the period. Inguinal hernias were the most common hernias in this study. It accounted for 73.3% of the hernias. The other hernias followed in the following descending order – Umbilical 14.3%, Incisional – 6.3%, Epigastric – 5.5%, Spigelian, Lumbar and femoral hernias constituted less than 1.0% of the hernias. Conclusion : Inguinal hernias are the commonest hernias in ABSUTH in both male and female patients with right inguinal hernias being more common than left. Umblical, incisiional and epigastric hernias were commoner in females than in males. Key Words : external, Abdominal Wall. Hernias,