title: Autopenetrating hernia: a novel form of traumatic abdominal wall hernia--case report and review of the literature.
abstract: Traumatic abdominal wall hernias remain relatively rare entities despite the increased incidence of blunt trauma. Mechanisms reported in the literature include a combination of a sudden increase in intra-abdominal pressure and powerful shear forces applied to the abdominal wall. These hernias are noteworthy in that they may be associated with significant intra-abdominal injuries. We describe a novel form of traumatic hernia with a unique mechanism. A blunt force leads to the fracture of a rib and penetration of the abdominal wall by the jagged costal remnant, creating a hernia defect. This autopenetrating hernia is presented in the context of a classification scheme for traumatic abdominal wall hernias.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Ganchi
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Orgill
mesh_terms: D000062:Accidents, Occupational; D006555:Hernia, Ventral / Q000145:classification* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed