MEDLINEplus Health Information: Return to home page   A service of the National Library of Medicine: Go to NLM home page
Search     Advanced Search    Site Map    About MEDLINEplus    Home
Health Topics: conditions, diseases and wellness Drug Information: generic and brand name drugs Dictionaries: spellings and definitions of medical terms Directories: doctors, dentists and hospitals Other Resources: organizations, libraries, publications, MEDLINE

Medical Encyclopedia

Disease     Injury     Nutrition     Poison     Special     Surgery     Symptoms     Tests

Infant umbilical hernia
Umbilical hernia repair
 
Overview   Recovery   Risks   

Umbilical hernia repair

Definition:

Surgery to repair an umbilical hernia, a sac that protrudes through the umbilicus (belly-button, navel).

Description:

General anesthesia is used. A curved incision is made under the umbilicus. The hernia sac is identified and dissected from the underlying tissues, and cut out. The underlying tissues are then closed with strong nonabsorbable sutures. Skin edges are held with paper tape (steri-strips). The surgical scar should be hidden in the umbilical depression.

Indications:

Umbilical hernias are fairly common. They are obvious at birth and are caused by a small defect in the abdominal muscles which allows a portion of the peritoneum (lining of the abdominal cavity) to protrude, and push the umbilicus outward. This is more obvious when the infant cries and the increased pressure results in more visible bulging. The defect is not usually treated surgically. In most cases, by age 3 the umbilical hernia shrinks and closes without treatment.

The guidelines for an umbilical hernia surgery include:

  • incarcerated (strangulated) umbilical hernia
  • moderate defects not spontaneously closed by 4 to 5 years of age
  • children under 2 with very large defects unacceptable to parents for cosmetic reasons


Adam

The information provided herein should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Copyright 2000 adam.com, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Health Topics | Drug Information | Dictionaries | Directories | Other Resources