Umbilical hernia surgery
and Martina Feichter, medical editor and biologistDr. med. Mira Seidel is a freelance writer for the medical team.
More about the expertsMartina Feichter studied biology with an elective subject pharmacy in Innsbruck and also immersed herself in the world of medicinal plants. From there it was not far to other medical topics that still captivate her to this day. She trained as a journalist at the Axel Springer Academy in Hamburg and has been working for since 2007 - first as an editor and since 2012 as a freelance writer.
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Umbilical hernia surgery is often necessary, especially in adult patients. In children, however, an umbilical hernia rarely requires surgery. The umbilical hernia operation is very urgent if abdominal organs are trapped in the hernial gap - there is a risk of death! Read more about the various umbilical hernia surgery procedures here!
ICD codes for this disease: ICD codes are internationally recognized codes for medical diagnoses. They can be found, for example, in doctor's letters or on certificates of incapacity for work. K42
When is an umbilical hernia operation necessary?
An umbilical hernia is rarely operated on in children because it usually heals on its own. Surgical intervention is necessary if the symptoms increase, the hernial sac continues to grow or the hernial opening is larger than one centimeter. Normally, one waits until the second year of life with the navel hernia operation.
In adults, an umbilical hernia is almost always operated on, as spontaneous healing is no longer possible at this age.Instead, the umbilical hernia usually slowly increases in size. If the doctor can push the hernial sac back into the abdominal cavity without pinching the abdominal organs, and if the umbilical hernia is smaller than half a centimeter, an operation can be planned in peace. If there is a risk that abdominal organs such as parts of the intestine are trapped in the fracture, this emergency must be operated on immediately. The likelihood of entrapment is around 30 percent.
Umbilical hernia surgery: implementation
During an umbilical hernia operation, the patient is usually put under general anesthesia. Depending on the age and the size of the umbilical hernia, it may also be sufficient to just put the patient into twilight sleep during the operation (analgesic sedation). A distinction is made between different surgical procedures:
Closed umbilical hernia surgery
In the closed operation, the surgeon operates according to the so-called keyhole method (laparoscopic umbilical hernia operation). He only makes small incisions on the side of the abdominal wall, through which he can insert his fine instruments. With them, the contents of the hernial sac are brought back into the abdominal cavity and the hernial port is closed.
Laparoscopic umbilical hernia surgery is a gentle procedure: there is less pain afterwards than after open surgery. In addition, the risk of wound infections is lower and the patient can regain physical strength more quickly.
Open umbilical hernia surgery for a small umbilical hernia
In the case of a small, uncomplicated hernia, the surgeon makes an arched incision around the navel, detaches the hernial sac from the skin umbilicus, pushes it back and then removes it. Then he closes the opening of the hernia (umbilical hernia port) with a seam. He sews the skin incision using special suturing techniques so that only a barely visible skin scar remains.
Open umbilical hernia surgery for a large umbilical hernia
In the case of very large hernias or recurring fractures, it makes sense to sew in a plastic mesh as well. It stabilizes the abdominal wall and prevents new umbilical hernias.
In very overweight patients, the umbilicus can be completely removed as part of fat reduction (omphalectomy).
Umbilical hernia surgery: complications
As with any operation, bruises (hematomas) or seromas (accumulations of fluid) can also form during umbilical hernia surgery. In addition, there is a general risk of wound infection. It is greater in an open operation than in a closed one.
A repeated umbilical hernia (relapse) is rare. Overweight patients are particularly susceptible to this.
Umbilical hernia surgery: procedure in the event of complications
Cooling compresses, for example, help with minor bruises. Larger bruises that develop quickly after the umbilical hernia operation should be surgically removed. This can speed up the healing process.
Seromas are more common when a plastic mesh has been sutured for stabilization. Smaller accumulations of fluid are absorbed by the body. Larger seromas can be punctured with a needle using ultrasound and thus removed.
A wound infection is always a threat to the durability of the abdominal wall suture. The doctor may reopen the suture to limit the infection early on. He can also prescribe antibiotics.
Umbilical hernia surgery: resilience after the operation
How quickly someone can be physically resilient again after an umbilical hernia operation depends on the individual case. The attending physician will give the patient individual tips on this. In general, a healing seam is only stable after three to four months. During this time, vigorous physical exertion (e.g. lifting heavy loads) should be avoided. With small umbilical hernias, light physical activity is possible around three weeks after the umbilical hernia operation. If a plastic mesh was sewn in during the umbilical hernia operation, it is largely stable and can no longer be moved after 24 to 72 hours. Depending on the occupation, patients are able to work again seven to 14 days after the operation.
