- Fascial defect or weakening that allows abdominal contents to protrude into an abnormal space
- Most commonly related to past surgical incisions, umbilical fascial defect, fascial weakening w/age
- Past surgery (through fascial defect)
- May be asymptomatic and notable only for obvious protrusion of abdominal contents through abdominal wall
- Sometimes discomfort from bulging thru defect
- Severe pain if incarceration/strangulation (relatively uncommon)
- Nausea, vomiting, distention if causes bowel obstruction
- Bulge thru scar line
- Increases w/straining
- Can also have midline bulge from rectus diastasis (separation at mid-line of rectus muscles)