What is an umbilical hernia repair surgery?
A hernia is a protrusion of an internal body part, such as the intestine, through a weak spot in the muscle or the surrounding tissue wall. An umbilical hernia repair is a corrective surgery for a hernia in the navel (umbilicus) region.
An umbilical hernia repair surgery is a procedure to return the herniated tissue back in place and strengthen the muscle wall with stitches and a mesh so the hernia doesn’t reoccur.
What is an umbilical hernia?
An umbilical hernia is an abdominal wall hernia, which occurs when a part of the abdominal membrane, fatty tissue or bowel protrudes through a weak spot in the muscle wall in or near the navel. Umbilical hernia may be
- True or direct umbilical hernia, which is a symmetric protrusion through the umbilical ring, as seen in infants.
- Indirect or paraumbilical hernia, which protrudes just above or below the umbilicus, common in adults.
What causes an umbilical hernia?
Infantile umbilical hernia
Umbilical hernias are common in infants, especially in premature babies. The umbilicus is a small opening in the abdominal muscle wall where the fetus is attached to the mother during pregnancy. This opening normally closes soon after birth.
Umbilical hernia occurs in children when the umbilicus doesn’t close fully and a part of tissue or bowel bulges through. It is often visible as a lump in infants when they laugh, cry or strain, and go back in when the belly is relaxed.
Adult umbilical hernia
Adult umbilical hernia may be caused by
- Obesity
- Ascites (fluid collection in the stomach
- Large abdominal tumors
- Multiple pregnancies
- Previous abdominal surgery
- Pressure on the belly from
- Lifting heavy weights
- Chronic cough
- Chronic vomiting
- Straining to urinate due to enlarged prostate in men
- Straining during bowel movements due to chronic constipation
- Long-term peritoneal dialysis due to kidney failure
SLIDESHOW
Appendicitis: Symptoms, Signs, Causes, Appendectomy in Detail See SlideshowShould an umbilical hernia be repaired?
Infantile umbilical hernia
Generally, infantile umbilical hernia resolves on its own within one or two years and does not require surgery. Children may require a hernia repair surgery if:
- the umbilical hernia is larger than 2 cm.
- the umbilical hernia persists beyond four or five years.
- the child experiences pain or swelling in the umbilical hernia.
Adult umbilical hernia
In adults, small hernias without symptoms may be watched. Adult umbilical hernias do not resolve on their own and tend to grow larger. An elective umbilical hernia repair is often recommended in adults to prevent an emergency surgery.
An umbilical hernia repair surgery may be urgently required when there is
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Top What Is an Umbilical Hernia Repair Surgery Related Articles
Can You Heal a Hernia Without Surgery?
While non-surgical approaches such as wearing a corset, binder, or truss may exert gentle pressure on the hernia and keep it in place, a hernia usually does not go away without surgery. Conservative or non-surgical management should strictly be done under a doctor’s supervision because they may lead to complications such as bowel obstruction and strangulation.
Direct vs. Indirect Hernia
Direct and indirect hernia are both inguinal hernias. Both types of hernias may cause a visible bulge in the groin area. Weakness in the muscle of the abdominal wall causes a direct hernia. A birth defect causes an indirect hernia. Hernias that can't be pushed in need surgery.
Hernia
A hernia occurs when an organ or piece of tissue protrudes from the space in which it is normally contained. Symptoms of a hernia include pain, nausea, vomiting, bowel obstruction, and fever. Hernias are diagnosed by a physical exam and imaging tests. Some hernias may be held in place with a supportive belt. Other hernias require surgical repair. The prognosis of people who undergo elective hernia repair tends to be good.
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Hernias: Causes, Types, and Treatments
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Hiatal Hernia
Hiatal hernia is a condition in which a thin membrane of tissue connects the esophagus with the diaphragm becoming weak, and a portion of the stomach slides up into the esophagus. Causes include obesity, pregnancy, straining during a bowel movement, aging, and ascites. There are generally no symptoms of a hiatal hernia, and it is discovered during another medical procedure to test for GERD or other swallowing problems.
How Do You Treat and Repair an Umbilical Hernia?
Hernias develop when an internal part of the body pushes through a weak point of muscle or tissue. Learn what medical treatments can help your umbilical hernia and ease your symptoms.
How Long Does It Take to Recover from Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Surgery?
A laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair is a routine surgery to repair a weakness or perforation in the muscle or tissue in the abdominal cavity. Most people can return to normal activities in two weeks, but may need to avoid heavy lifting.
propofol
Propofol is an intravenous anesthetic drug used for general anesthesia and sedation during surgical procedures. Common side effects of propofol include injection site burning, stinging or pain; low blood pressure (hypotension), reduced cardiac output, elevated blood pressure (hypertension), pause in breathing (apnea), lung impairment (respiratory acidosis), impaired movement, high level of emulsified fats in the blood (hyperlipidemia), and high triglyceride level in blood (hypertriglyceridemia). Abuse of propofol can cause death and other injuries.What Is the Recovery Time for An Umbilical Hernia Surgery?
An umbilical hernia repair is a relatively routine surgery and takes about 20 to 30 minutes. It can be performed as an open surgery or a minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. An open surgery might require two to three days of hospitalization, but with a laparoscopic surgery a patient may be able to go home the same day or after 24 hours.succinylcholine
Succinylcholine is a skeletal muscle relaxant used for medical procedures done under general anesthesia, including tracheal intubation, mechanical ventilation, and surgeries. Common side effects of succinylcholine include postoperative muscle pain, jaw rigidity, muscle twitch (fasciculation), respiratory depression, cessation of breathing (apnea), low or high blood pressure (hypotension or hypertension), irregular heart rhythms (cardiac arrhythmias), slow or rapid heartbeat (bradycardia or tachycardia), cardiac arrest, increase in intraocular pressure (IOP), high blood potassium levels (hyperkalemia), severe life-threatening drug reaction with excessively high temperature (malignant hyperthermia), salivary gland enlargement, excessive salivation, rash, hypersensitivity reactions, and others.