Umbilical Hernia
What is an umbilical hernia?
A hernia is a weak spot in the abdominal wall that can allow contents of the abdomen to push though it to form a lump..
Umbilical hernia is a bulge that forms near, or through, the navel or belly button. Umbilical hernia can be found in both children and adults, and require surgery when they are painful or enlarging.
What causes umbilical hernia?
Some adults may have a weakness around their umbilicus that has been present and unnoticed since birth. Lifting heavy objects, straining, a chronic cough or certain medical conditions may cause this weak spot to develop into an umbilical hernia.
What are the symptoms of umbilical hernia?
The main symptom of an umbilical hernia is the presence of a swelling or bulge near the navel which ranges from about 1 to 5 cm in diameter. The hernia cause pain, discomfort and will increase in size over time.
Umbilical hernias have a risk of getting trapped and strangulated, thereby cutting off the blood supply to the trapped part. If you experience the following symptoms, you should immediately consult your doctor:
- Tender, painful, swollen or discoloured bulge or lump
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Severe abdominal pain
How are umbilical hernia diagnosed?
Umbilical hernias are usually diagnosed by your doctor examining your umbilicus,
What is the treatment of umbilical hernia?
In adults, symptomatic umbilical usually treated with surgery.
Umbilical hernias do not get better without surgery and will usually enlarge and become more painful over time. Surgery also prevents further complications of the hernia, such as strangulation.
There are two types choices of surgery for umbilical hernia.
Keyhole surgery (laparoscopy):
- For larger hernia or when previous umbilical hernia surgery
- 3-4 small keyhole incisions are made in the flanks and the hernia is repaired using a thin camera and specialised laparoscopic instruments.
- The bulge will be pulled into the abdominal cavity, and the weakness in the abdominal wall may be stitched prior to a specially designed soft plastic mesh being placed to support your abdominal wall.
Open surgery:
- For smaller hernia that can be repaired through a small incision.
- The size of the incision matches size of the hernia, Usually a curved incision is placed in the curve of bellybutton.
- The hernia is identified and either removed or pushed back into the abdominal cavity. The weakness in the abdominal wall is then closed, either with strong sutures or a mesh placed under the weakened area to support it.
What will happen if I don’t have umbilical hernia Surgery?
Umbilical hernia tend to increase in size over time, stretching the umbilical skin and becoming more painful. Hernia surgery is the only treatment for umbilical hernia, but people who cant have surgery may chose to w ear a hernia belt or abdominal binder