Parietal Hernias in Adults at Bouaké University Hospital: Epidemiological and Diagnostic Aspects

Abstract

Introduction: A hernia of the abdominal wall is defined as the externalization of a viscera of the abdominal cavity in relation to a deficiency of the components of the wall. Topographies are diverse and diagnosis is based on clinical practice. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiological and diagnostic aspects of abdominal wall hernias at the University Hospital of Bouaké, C &#244 te d’Ivoire. Patients and Methods: This was a descriptive retrospective study that ran from January 2010 to December 2022. It concerned all patients admitted for abdominal wall hernias. Results: We collected 497 records of patients admitted for abdominal wall hernia. Abdominal wall hernias accounted for 7.6% of patients admitted to the ward (n = 6512) and were the fourth most common patient. These were males (79%; n = 392) and females (21%; n = 105). The mean age was 43 years [range: 17 and 70 years]. The occupation was dominated by forced labourers with 73% (n = 372) more specifically farmers (42%; n = 209). The average consultation time was 2 days (extreme 1 and 8 days). The main clinical signs were abdominal pain for strangulated hernias with or without occlusive signs (n = 397 ; 79.8%) and reducible bothersome swelling with intermittent pain (n = 100; 20.2%) for non-strangulated hernias. Hernias of the groin (inguinal and femoral hernia) were the most frequent with 85% (n = 422) followed by hernias of the white line (epigastric, umbilical and hypogastric) with 14% (n = 71) and lumbar hernias (Spiegel, Jean-Louis Petit and Grynfeltt) with 1% (n = 4), we did not note any cases of pelvic hernia (obturator and ischiatic). Conclusion: Parietal hernias are a common surgical condition at the Ivory Coast University Hospital, particularly in Bouaké. Groin hernia is the most common topographic variety. Strangulation is the main complication.