Hernia Hernia in Special Populations

Question 1

At what age do umbilical hernias in children typically close spontaneously?

Accepted Answer

By 3–4 years of age

Answer

By 6 months

Answer

By 10 years

Answer

They never close without surgery

Question 2

Which hernia is more common in women than in men relative to all groin hernias?

Accepted Answer

Femoral hernia

Answer

Inguinal hernia

Answer

Umbilical hernia

Answer

Hiatal hernia

Question 3

Why are hernias during pregnancy more likely to become symptomatic?

Accepted Answer

The growing uterus increases intra-abdominal pressure, enlarging pre-existing defects

Answer

Hormones dissolve fascial tissue permanently

Answer

Pregnancy causes immune suppression of the abdominal wall

Answer

Fetal movement directly tears the abdominal wall

Question 4

Hernia repair in premature infants is typically approached how?

Accepted Answer

Repaired shortly after diagnosis due to high strangulation risk

Answer

Deferred until age 2 years

Answer

Managed with a hernia truss until adulthood

Answer

Treated with medications alone

Question 5

Elderly patients undergoing hernia repair face which anesthesia-related challenge?

Accepted Answer

They have increased sensitivity to anesthetic agents and higher risk of post-operative cognitive dysfunction

Answer

They require higher anesthetic doses universally

Answer

They heal faster than younger patients

Answer

They have lower pain perception and need less analgesia

Question 6

What is the preferred management of a large paraesophageal hiatal hernia (>50% of stomach in chest) in a fit patient?

Accepted Answer

Elective laparoscopic surgical repair

Answer

Watchful waiting with antacids

Answer

Emergency open repair only

Answer

Long-term proton pump inhibitors without repair