A Complete Guide To Umbilical Hernia Repair

: Admin : 2022-03-09

What Is An Umbilical Hernia?

 An umbilical hernia occurs when part of one’s intestine bulges through the opening in the abdominal muscles near the belly button or navel. Umbilical hernias are common and typically harmless.

 Umbilical hernias are most common in infants, but they can affect adults as well. In an infant, an umbilical hernia may be especially evident when the infant cries, causing the belly button to protrude. This is a classic sign of an umbilical hernia.

Children's umbilical hernias often close on their own in the first two years of life, though some remain open into the fifth year or longer. Umbilical hernias that appear during adulthood are more likely to need surgical repair.

 What Are The Possible Symptoms Of An Umbilical Hernia?

 An umbilical hernia creates a soft swelling or bulge near the navel. In babies who have an umbilical hernia, the bulge may be visible only when they cry, cough or strain.

 Umbilical hernias in children are usually painless. Umbilical hernias that appear during adulthood may cause abdominal discomfort.

 It is mandatory to see a doctor if one sees that the baby has an umbilical hernia. The symptoms might be:

• Pain and discomfort
• Vomiting
• Tenderness, swelling or discolouration at the site of the hernia

 Similar symptoms also apply to adults. One should talk with the doctor if they have a bulge near the navel. One should seek emergency care if the bulge becomes painful or tender. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can help prevent complications.

What Are The Causes Of An Umbilical Hernia?

 During gestation, the umbilical cord passes through a small opening in the baby's abdominal muscles. The opening normally closes just after birth. If the muscles don't join together completely in the midline of the abdominal wall, an umbilical hernia may appear at birth or later in life. In adults, too much abdominal pressure contributes to umbilical hernias.

Causes of increased pressure in the abdomen include:

• Obesity
• Multiple pregnancies
• Fluid in the abdominal cavity
• Previous abdominal surgery
• Long-term peritoneal dialysis to treat kidney failure

 What Is An Umbilical Hernia Repair?

An umbilical hernia repair is a relatively routine surgery. It takes nearly about 20 to 30 minutes. It can be performed as an open surgery or a minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. Open surgery might require two to three days of hospitalization, but with laparoscopic surgery, a patient may be able to go home the same day or after 24 hours.

How To Diagnose An Umbilical Hernia?

To diagnose an umbilical hernia, the doctor will give the patient a physical exam and ask about the full medical history. They will check for any swelling or a sac near the belly button, which is commonly the first sign of an umbilical hernia. The doctor will check to see if the hernia has become incarcerated or strangulated. If so, surgery is needed to repair the umbilical hernia. Some tests that the doctor may order to check on this include a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, X-ray, or ultrasound.

How Is An Umbilical Hernia Surgery Performed? 

Umbilical hernia surgery is usually performed by a surgeon. It is a routine surgery that takes nearly about 20 to 30 minutes. The surgeon performs tests based on the condition of the patient and then the surgeon prescribes open or laparoscopic surgery. Typically, one of the three types of anaesthesia is used for the patient: 

• General
• Local with sedation
• Regional (spinal injection)

Preparation

 Before the surgery, the patient undergoes blood tests and imaging tests. The patient must not eat or drink 8 hours before the procedure. The patient should check with the doctor before taking any regular medications and inform the doctor of any allergies.

Procedure

The procedure is performed by an anesthesiologist. They administer anaesthesia and monitor the patient’s vital functions during the surgery. Next, the surgeon makes one or more incisions in the skin next to the umbilical hernia. The surgeon gently pushes back the protruding intestine and abdominal tissue back in place.

The surgeon may cut out dead tissue if it is a strangulated hernia. He repairs the hole in the abdominal muscle wall with stitches. They might also use a mesh for support. The incision is then closed with sutures. The patient will be monitored in the recovery room for a few hours.

 What To Expect After The Surgery?

 Most umbilical hernia repairs are done on an outpatient basis. This means the patient will likely go home on the same day. Some repairs may require a short hospital stay if the hernia is very large.

After surgery, the provider will monitor the vital signs (pulse, blood pressure, and breathing). The patient will stay in the recovery area until they are stable. The provider will prescribe pain medicine if the patient needs it.

one should follow instructions on how to care for themselves or the child's incision at home. The provider will prescribe when to resume the normal activities. For adults, this will be in 2 to 4 weeks. Children can likely return to most activities right away.

 What Are The Risk Factors Of Umbilical Hernia Surgery?

Umbilical hernias are most common in infants especially premature babies and those with low birth weights. In some other countries, black infants appear to have a slightly increased risk of umbilical hernias. The condition affects boys and girls equally.

For adults, being overweight or having multiple pregnancies may increase the risk of developing an umbilical hernia. This type of hernia tends to be more common in women.

 What Are The Complications Of Umbilical Hernia Surgery?

For children, complications of an umbilical hernia are rare. Complications can occur when the protruding abdominal tissue becomes trapped and can no longer be pushed back into the abdominal cavity. This reduces the blood supply to the section of the trapped intestine and can lead to abdominal pain and tissue damage. If the trapped portion of the intestine is completely cut off from the blood supply, it can lead to tissue death. Infection may spread throughout the abdominal cavity, causing a life-threatening situation. Adults with umbilical hernias are somewhat more likely to experience a blockage of the intestines. Emergency surgery is typically required to treat these complications.

 Natural Remedies To Treat Condition Of Umbilical Hernia

• Castor Seed Oil:  Castor oil is beneficial to resolve many stomach problems. It has anti-inflammatory properties that promote digestion inside the stomach and soothe the pain that occurs because of hernia. One can apply castor oil on the part where the umbilical hernia has occurred. Massaging it on the bulge and around it decreases the problems and reduce swelling in the affected region.
• Aloe Vera Juice: Aloe vera juice is another beneficial beverage that has many anti-inflammatory properties. Aloe vera is widely used to treat skin problems, similarly having aloe vera juice can also bring down the problem of having an umbilical hernia. People who consume aloe vera juice more often are at a lower risk of developing any kind of hernia. This also helps to reduce swelling in the region and bring out the pain and treat symptoms of umbilical hernia.
• Ginger Root: Ginger is a medical herb that is often used in Ayurveda to treat several health conditions. It contains anti-inflammatory, anti-viral properties which keeps the symptoms away for a long while. Ginger root can be an effective way of resolving problems to boost health and get relief from discomfort in the stomach. Eating raw ginger root can cure the problem of umbilical hernia and prevent one’s stomach from creating gastric problems and different types of hernia.
• Indulging in yoga:  Yoga is a contributing factor to reducing the number of health conditions. Yoga cannot treat umbilical hernia but it can reduce the problems of stress which is one of the causes of hernia. Doing yoga for around half an hour daily can reduce stress levels to a significant amount and can also boost one’s metabolism. There are many stress-reducing yoga activities and exercises which can prove too effective in lowering down symptoms of umbilical hernia and provide relief to the person.
• Black pepper: Black pepper is more than just an added flavour. It stimulates healing in those parts of the body which have been compromised when the organ began to push through the cavity wall. It can also suppress acid reflux which can help to cure the swollen region of a hernia.
• Ice Packs:  If one's child is suffering from an umbilical hernia, one can also put an ice pack on the affected hernia region to reduce inflammation in the abdomen. Ice packs trigger a contraction and hence when the force is applied, it does reduce inflammation in the body. Ice pack also cures problems and symptoms of umbilical hernia in kids such as bloating and nausea.
• Having a strict diet schedule to reduce hernia: If one has spicy food, acidic food or things that are difficult to digest for the stomach, then it can increase the problem with an umbilical hernia. Therefore, whatever food one has, make sure that it does not inflame the stomach lining and help in the process of healing the swollen abdominal wall. One can have these foods to restrict yourself from having hernia: Yogurt, Almonds, Chia seeds, Cabbage juice, Carrot juice, Almond milk, Carrot and peas, sweet potatoes, Soya milk, green beans, green tea, High fibre foods and non-citrus food items.
• Avoid lifting bulky or heavy objects that may strain the muscles: Instead of bending over at the waist to pick up heavy items, bend the knees so you’re squatting. Bring the object close and then straighten the legs and stand up. Keep the heavy object at chest level and try not to twist and turn too much. For heavy items you can’t lift yourself, consider using a dolly. You wedge the bottom of the dolly under the item, then use your weight to pull on the dolly’s handle to lift the object. From there, you can wheel it wherever it needs to go.
• Quit smoking to improve lung health and eliminate excessive coughing: There are lots of reasons to quit smoking, and doing so can also help prevent hernias. Chronic coughing strains the muscles in both the abdomen and groin, so start curbing your smoking habit or quit it immediately. It can be extremely hard to stop smoking. If you’re having a hard time, talk to your doctor. They may be able to provide you with some kind of aid to help make the transition easier.

What Is The Long-Term Outlook For Umbilical Hernias?

The majority of cases in babies will resolve on their own by age 3 or 4. If one thinks that their baby may have an umbilical hernia, they must speak with the paediatrician. One must seek emergency care if one's baby seems to be in pain or the bulge becomes very swollen or discoloured. Adults with a bulge on their abdomen should also see a doctor.

Hernia repair surgery is a fairly simple and common procedure. While all surgeries have risks, most children can return home from an umbilical hernia surgery within a few hours. Famous Hospitals with advanced facilities recommend waiting three weeks after surgery to engage in heavy physical activity. It’s unlikely that the hernia will reoccur once it’s properly reduced and closed.

 Summary

Umbilical hernias occur when part of the bowel or some fatty tissue protrudes from a hole in the abdominal muscles. For doctors to classify a protrusion as an umbilical hernia, it must occur within the source of the naval.

This type of hernia is common in infants and typically resolves independently. The majority of umbilical hernias in adults result from extra pressure on the abdominal wall. This extra pressure may come from carrying multiple pregnancies or straining intensely.

There is a higher risk of complication in adult umbilical hernias, and these almost always require surgery to correct. Hernia surgery typically takes about 20–30 minutes, and the person will be under general anaesthesia for the duration of the procedure.