What is an Umbilical Hernia?
They are quite common and some people don’t even realise they have one. Most people will be aware of a bulge at the belly button which tends to go away when they lie down (doctors describe this as being reducible) but pop out again when they stand up cough, sneeze or exert themselves. This type of hernia will not get better on its own and most patients are advised to have them repaired.
An umbilical hernia may gradually enlarge over a period of time and sometimes they can be associated with some local discomfort.
Less frequently they can become stuck i.e. they become irreducible. In this situation they can become more uncomfortable and rarely lead to more serious problems such as strangulation or bowel obstruction. If this happens urgent admission to hospital and emergency surgery is usually required.
Surgical Repair
When you arrive at the hospital you will meet a nurse the anaesthetist and your surgeon.
Most umbilical hernias are repaired under a general anaesthetic.
The operation normally involves making a small incision beneath the belly button. The surgeon will free up the hernia and push it back into the abdomen.
The defect that is left, if small, is repaired with stitches. For larger defects a soft, synthetic, non-absorbable mesh which is fixed in place with a few stitches, placed in the abdominal wall may be used to reinforce the repair.
The wound is closed with a dissolvable suture or wound glue.
The operation takes around 30 minutes to perform.
Patients are usually able to go home later the same day.
What are the risks of the operation?
Wound infections are uncommon after this type of surgery. When they do occur patients may need a course of antibiotics.
Sometimes bruising may occur around the wound or a swelling develop beneath the wound. This is usually blood and / or tissue fluids which accumulates in the space where the hernia was. The fluid will normally gradually resolve. Very occasionally a collection of fluid may need to be drained.
You should contact your doctor if after the operation you develop any of the following:
- Redness around or drainage from the incision
- Fever
- Bleeding from the incision
- Pain that is not relieved by medication or pain that suddenly worsens
In the longer term there is a small risk of the hernia recurring.
After the operation
Wound infections are uncommon after this type of surgery. When they do occur patients may need a course of antibiotics.
Sometimes bruising may occur around the wound or a swelling develop beneath the wound. This is usually blood and / or tissue fluids which accumulates in the space where the hernia was. The fluid will normally gradually resolve. Very occasionally a collection of fluid may need to be drained.
You should contact your doctor if after the operation you develop any of the following:
- Redness around or drainage from the incision
- Fever
- Bleeding from the incision
- Pain that is not relieved by medication or pain that suddenly worsens
In the longer term there is a small risk of the hernia recurring.
