Umbilical hernia repair (age over 5)

Procedure Information

What is Umbilical hernia repair?

An umbilical hernia happens when a part of the intestines bulges through an opening near your belly button. They are usually harmless and most commonly affect infants. However, they may appear in adults as well. 

Umbilical hernias are seen in children, and they usually close on their own during the first two years of life. But, sometimes, they can persist up to the fifth year and require surgical repair. On the other hand, when umbilical hernias appear during adulthood, they most likely will need a surgical repair. The surgery is used to return the herniated tissue to its place.

Why would I get this procedure?

Most umbilical hernias close in babies, and doctors may even be able to push the herniated tissue back into the abdomen during physical examination. However, surgery is recommended for children when:

• The herniated tissue is painful
• The bulge is more than ¼ to ¾ inch (1 to 2 centimeters)
• The hernia doesn’t decrease in size over the first two years of life
• The herniated tissue doesn’t disappear by age 5
• The condition is causing obstruction to the intestine

In adults, surgery is almost always recommended because an umbilical hernia in adults is unlikely to get better by itself, and there is an increased chance of complications. 

What happens during the procedure?

The operation is usually performed using general anesthesia, so you will be unconscious and won’t remember anything regarding the surgery. 

During the procedure, your surgeon will make a small cut around 3 cm at the base of your belly button and push your bowel back into its place. To avoid future herniation, the surgeon will determine the weak spot in your abdominal wall and stitch your muscle layers to strengthen this spot. A special mesh patch can be used in the case of an adult umbilical hernia.

What happens after the procedure?

The operation, in general, takes around 30 minutes. Most adults and children can go home the same day. It is expected that you will be sore for 3-4 days, but pain can be managed by Tylenol. 

Within a week, most children and adults will feel much better, but it is recommended that they stay away from vigorous physical activity for a couple of weeks.

Conclusion

Make sure that you follow the instructions given to you about caring for your wound and hygiene. Coughing and constipation may aggregate the pain around your wound. This is why it is advised to eat lots of fibers (vegetables and fruits) and drink lots of fluids.

Call your surgeon immediately if you have any of the following symptoms:

•  Bleeding 
• Abnormal swelling or pain in your abdomen
• Persistent nausea and vomiting
• Swollen, painful leg
• Shortness of breath
• Fever
• Chills

Resources

Mayo Clinic: Umbilical hernia

Johns Hopkins: What is an Umbilical Hernia and How is it Fixed?

Nhs. uk: Umbilical hernia repair