Abstract

LAUCHO, Tamara et al. Eviscerated umbilical hernia in cirrhotic patients: case report. Gen [online]. 2013, vol.67, n.3, pp.156-159. ISSN 0016-3503.

Spontaneous evisceration of umbilical hernias in patients with cirrhosis and ascites is a rare and potentially fatal complication that occurs in less than 2% of patients. We report a case of a 58-year old male patient with Child B alcoholic liver cirrhosis,with portal hypertension, who presented with diffuse crampy abdominal pain and spontaneous leaking of yellow not foul ascitic fluid through a large umbilical hernia with superficial tiny erosions. Cytochemical ascitic fluid analysis was consistent with secondary bacterial peritonitis. Patient was managed conservatively with parenteral antibiotics in conjunction with surgery. On fourth day, the omentum was seen through the hernia sac and surgical repair was performed without complications and the patient did well in the postoperative period. Since the first case reported in 1901, there had been few cases reported in the literature. Trauma and increased intra-abdominal pressure are among the precipitants reported. Management of umbilical hernia in cirrhotic patients is controversial, however when they develop complications, surgical treatment become urgent.

Keywords : evisceration; umbilical hernia; cirrhosis.

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