An umbilical hernia happens when part of the bowel or fatty tissue pushes through a zone close to the belly button. There are various types of hernia. An umbilical hernia happens when there is a deformity in the front abdominal wall that underlies the umbilicus, or navel. Let's explore more: https://www.southlakegeneralsurgery.com/umbilical-hernia-problem-symptoms-and-surgery/

1. Umbilical Hernia –
Problem, Symptoms
and Surgery
By: Dr. VALERIA SIMONE MD
(SOUTHLAKE GENERAL SURGERY, TEXAS)

2. OVERVIEW
An umbilical hernia happens when part of the
bowel or fatty tissue pushes through a zone close
to the belly button. There are various types of
hernia. An umbilical hernia happens when there is
a deformity in the front abdominal wall that
underlies the umbilicus, or navel.
It is common in babies and newborn children;
however, it can also impact adults as well.
Umbilical hernias are effectively treatable, they
can turn into serious conditions during very
uncommon events. Let’s understand more about
the cause, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment of
umbilical hernia.

4. Quick
Insights on
Umbilical
Hernia
•It’s common in infants born preterm.
•Generally, they are not painful, however, if an
umbilical hernia turns sore, consult with a
doctor.
•Obesity is one of the risk factors for umbilical
hernias.
•Through physical examination, it is easy to
identify and diagnose umbilical hernias.

5. What is an
umbilical
hernia?
The mother and her baby connect with the umbilical
cord while in the womb. The umbilical cord in babies
goes through a small opening between their
abdominal wall muscles. In many cases, the gap
closes in sometime after birth. An umbilical hernia
happens when the abdominal wall layers don’t join as
they should and the intestines or other tissues from
inside the abdominal cavity swell through the weak
area around the belly button. Approximately, 20% of
children are born with an umbilical hernia.
Umbilical hernias are normally painless conditions
and don’t bring any distress. Approximately, 90% of
umbilical hernias will generally settle all alone. If an
umbilical hernia doesn’t close on time by the child is
4 years of age, they will need treatment to fix an
umbilical hernia.

6. Umbilical
Hernia In
adults
Umbilical hernias can likewise develop in
grown-ups, particularly if an individual is
clinically overweight, lifting heavy items, or
have a constant cough. Risk of developing
an umbilical hernia increases in women who
have had multiple pregnancies.
The risk of umbilical hernia is very much
common among infants and in females.

7. What are
the
symptoms
of Umbilical
Hernia?
An umbilical hernia resembles a lump in the
navel. It may turn out to be more evident
when the baby is laughing, crying, passing
stools, or coughing. The lump may
disappear or shrink when a child is sleeping
or laying down.
Umbilical hernias in infants or children are
generally not painful and don’t create any
discomfort. Although in adults, an individual
might feel pain or distress if a hernia grows
in size.

8. When to
consult a
doctor:
Consult a doctor in the following condition:
•The lump becomes painful and causes
discomfort.
•Vomiting happens, joined by a lump.
•The lump swells up more or becomes
stained.
•The lump was able to push flat against the
stomach, however, now it cannot be leveled
without pain or discomfort.

9. What is the
Risk of an
umbilical
hernia?
The significant risk factors that cause umbilical hernias
are:
•Over-weight: People who are overweight among children
and adults are at higher risk of developing an umbilical
hernia as compared to people who have normal body
weight based on their height and age.
•Age: Newborn children, particularly those conceived
preterm, have a higher risk of an umbilical hernia as
compared to adults.
•Constant Coughing: Long-term consistent cough increase
the risk of umbilical hernia since the stress of coughing
puts pressure on the stomach wall.
•Multiple pregnancies: If a woman is pregnant with more
than one baby, the chances of umbilical hernia increase.

10. What are
the causes
of Umbilical
Hernia?
The causes of umbilical hernia may vary across age groups.
In-Infants: As the baby grows in the womb, a little opening
structure develops in the abdominal muscles. This opening
permits the umbilical cord to go through. This connects
the mother to the baby.
At the time of birth or not long after the opening should
close. In case, it doesn’t close appropriately, fatty tissue
or portion of the bowel can jab through and cause an
umbilical hernia.
In-Adults: If there is a lot of pressure on the stomach wall,
fatty tissue or a part of the bowel can jab through a weak
area of the abdominal muscle. People at high risk are
bound to experience more pressure on the abdominal wall
where fatty tissue or parts of the gut can protrude.

11. How to
diagnose an
umbilical
hernia?
Umbilical hernia can be diagnosed during a
physical examination by your doctor. Likewise,
doctors have the option to figure out what kind
of hernia is it. If it includes the bowel, for
instance, there might be a risk of congestion. To
screen for the complications of a hernia, your
doctor may suggest an abdominal ultrasound, X-
ray, or blood test.

12. Treatment
of Umbilical
Hernia
In a few cases, it doesn’t require any treatment as it self -resolves.
However, this may not always be the situation, particularly in adults.
Babies and children: For most newborn children, the hernia closes
without treatment by the age of a year. At times, the doctor might
have the option to push the lump once again into the abdomen. It is
significant that only the doctor should do this.
It may request surgery, if:
•the hernia doesn’t self-resolve even after the child is 1 to 2 years of
age
•the lump is yet present by the age of 4years
•the intestines are inside the hernial sac, forestalling or decreasing
intestinal development
•a hernia gets trapped
Adults: Umbilical Surgery is mainly suggested for adults. This can
forestall possible complications, particularly if the hernia grows or
begin to hurt.

13. How to
prepare for
umbilical
hernia
surgery?
Umbilical hernia surgical procedure is a small and quick surgery to
push the lump once again into the right spot and reinforce the
abdominal wall. In many cases, the patient will be able to go home
after surgery.
According to Southlake General Surgery, either open or laparoscopic
surgery might be used under treatment.
In open surgery, the surgeon will open the site with an incision and fix
the hernia by using mesh and close the opening with stitches.
In laparoscopic surgery or Keyhole Surgery: The surgeon makes several
smaller incisions around the hernia lump area to insert a long thin
tube with a lighted micro camera on the end into one of the incisions
and the surgeon delicately places the bulging intestine, inserts the
synthetic mesh to strengthen the affected area and sutures will be pass
through small incisions.
Self-dissolvable stitches or special glue are used to close the incisions
and covered with pressure dressing, which stays in place for 4 to
5days. The duration of the operation is about 30minutes.

14. How much
will it cost
for
surgery?
SOUTHLAKE GENERAL SURGERY provides
competitive prices for state-of-the-art
procedures with ZERO COST EMI PLAN and
POST-SURGERY FOLLOW-UP for their
patients. We are in a Network of Major
Insurance companies where your policy
allows you to have surgery with us. To know
more about the cost of treatment, you can
contact our healthcare expert at +1 (817)
748–0200 or submit your inquiries
online. Click here.

15. What will be
the
complication
s of umbilical
hernia
surgery?
Let’s explore more: Umbilical
Hernia - Problem, Symptoms and
Surgery - Southlake General
Surgery

16. Appointment
• For more information on Umbilical
Hernia and consultation, you can
contact our healthcare expert today at
+1(817) 748-0200. You can also make an
online appointment for a consultation
with us.
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17. THANK YOU!
SOUTHLAKE GENERAL SURGERY
1545 E. Southlake Blvd, Suite 270 Southlake, TX 76092
EMAIL: info@southlakegeneralsurgery.com
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