Traumatic abdominal wall hernia - four cases and a review of the literature : trauma

Objective. To review blunt traumatic abdominal wall hernias (TAWHs) in our institution. Method. Retrospective review of blunt abdominal trauma cases over a 6-month period. Results. Four patients with TAWH were identified. The mean age was 36 years. Three had been involved in vehicular collisions; and 1 had been assaulted with a large stone. All were diagnosed on presentation; 3 by computed tomography scan and 1 clinically. Two were repaired as emergencies; and 1 was repaired after 4 months. The 4th patient refused surgery. Conclusion. This uncommon injury requires a high index of suspicion and a low threshold for intervention. CT scan offers the best imaging potential