Umbilical Hernia: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

An umbilical hernia is a soft lump in the skin below or around the navel. It occurs when tissue from the intestine protrudes through a weak spot in the muscle wall around the belly button. Umbilical hernias are largely congenital, that is, present from birth when the umbilical cord does not close properly, and often disappear as the infant grows. However, it can also occur in older children or adults due to the stretching of a spot around the umbilicus.

Umbilical Hernia Causes

An umbilical hernia may be present from birth if the umbilical cord does not close properly, and usually resolves on its own within the first year of the infant’s life. In adults, the increase in intra-abdominal pressure causes distension of the abdominal wall and the risk of developing an umbilical hernia. Factors that increase intra-abdominal pressure include consecutive pregnancies, obesity or being overweight. At the same time, patients who have been diagnosed with ascites (accumulation of intra-abdominal fluid) or have undergone peritoneal dialysis are more likely to develop an umbilical hernia.

Umbilical Hernia: Symptoms

An umbilical hernia typically appears as a bulge in the belly button area. Pain and gastrointestinal discomfort are other possible but rare symptoms, while tenderness is a common symptom. A small umbilical hernia is often asymptomatic and only occasionally causes some degree of discomfort. Strangulation of an umbilical hernia is a common complication.

Patients usually present with irreducible tender umbilical swelling and evidence of intestinal obstruction if part of the bowel is found in the hernial contents. Umbilical hernias show an increased chance of strangulation, which occurs when part of the intestine gets trapped inside the contents of the hernia. This condition causes severe abdominal pain, fever, nausea and vomiting and can lead to ischemia and necrosis, which is why it needs immediate surgical treatment.

Umbilical Hernia Treatment

Surgery is the most common method of treating umbilical hernia. There are two main types of surgery used, open surgery and laparoscopic umbilical hernia surgery, which is preferred and applied in most cases by General Surgeons in Athens. Open surgery for umbilical hernia repair is the most common surgical treatment for the condition. In an open hernia repair, an incision is made near the site of the hernia. The surgeon then repairs the hernia by returning the contents of the hernia to its original position and then using a special synthetic mesh to reinforce the weak point in the muscle wall.

Laparoscopic umbilical hernia surgery is performed through a series of tiny incisions near the site of the hernia. An instrument with a built-in camera and a light at the end called a laparoscope is then inserted through one of the incisions. This tool helps the surgeon gain visibility into the affected area, as it transfers the magnified image of the interior of the abdomen onto a high-definition screen. The hernia is then repaired and a special mesh is placed at the point where the weakness in the abdominal wall is found, to strengthen the area and prevent any recurrence of the hernia.