An umbilical hernia surgery is often necessary, especially in adult patients. In children, however, an umbilical hernia rarely requires surgery. Very urgent is the umbilical hernia surgery, when abdominal organs are trapped in the fracture gap – there is a danger to life! Read more about the various methods of umbilical hernia surgery here!
When is an umbilical OP necessary?
An umbilical hernia is added children rarely operated on, since he usually heals on his own. Surgical intervention is necessary if the symptoms increase, the hernia sac continues to grow or the hernia is larger than one centimeter. Normally, one waits with the navel fracture surgery for the second year of life.
at adults An umbilical hernia is almost always operated on, as a spontaneous healing at this age is no longer possible. Instead, the umbilical hernia usually begins to increase in size. If the doctor can push the bag back into the abdominal cavity without pinching the abdominal organs, and if the umbilical hernia is less than half an centimeter, a surgery appointment can be scheduled at rest. If there is a risk that abdominal organs, such as bowel parts, are trapped in the fracture, this emergency must be operated on immediately. The likelihood of entrapment is about 30 percent.
Umbilical hernia surgery: implementation
In an umbilical hernia surgery, the patient is usually placed under general anesthesia. However, depending on the age and size of the umbilical hernia, it may be sufficient to only put the patient into a twilight sleep during the operation (analgosedation). There are different methods of operation:
Closed umbilical OP
In the closed operation, the surgeon operates on the so-called keyhole method (laparoscopic umbilical hernia surgery). He uses only small cuts on the side of the abdominal wall, over which he can introduce his fine instruments. With them, the contents of the bag are returned to the abdominal cavity and the hernia 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 patients are faster physically recoverable.
Open umbilical operation with a small umbilical hernia
In a small, uncomplicated fracture, the surgeon places an arcuate incision around the umbilicus, loosens the hernia sac off the umbilical, slides it back, and then wears it off. Then he closes the opening of the fracture (umbilical hernia) with a suture. He sews the skin incision with special suture techniques, so that thereafter only a barely visible skin scar remains.
Open umbilical hernia surgery with large umbilical hernia
For very large hernias or recurring fractures, it makes sense to additionally sew in a plastic net. It stabilizes the abdominal wall and prevents new umbilical hernias.
In very overweight patients, the navel can be completely removed during the fat reduction (omphalectomy).
Umbilical hernia surgery: complications
As with any surgery, hematomas or serums (fluid retention) can also form in umbilical hernia surgery. In addition, there is a risk of wound infection in principle. It is larger in an open operation than in a closed one.
A repeated umbilical hernia (recurrence) is rare. Particularly susceptible are overweight patients.
Umbilical hernia: Procedure for complications
For smaller bruises, for example, cooling compresses help. Major bruising that develops rapidly after umbilical hernia surgery should be surgically removed. This can speed up the healing process.
Seromas occur more frequently when a plastic mesh has been sutured for stabilization. Smaller fluid accumulations are absorbed by the body. Larger seromas can be punctured using ultrasound with a needle and so removed.
A wound infection is always a danger to the durability of the abdominal wall suture. The doctor may reopen the suture to limit the infection early. He can also prescribe antibiotics.
Umbilical hernia: Resilience after surgery
How fast someone is physically resilient after an umbilical hernia surgery depends on the individual case. The attending physician will give the patient individual tips. In general: A healing suture is stable only after three to four months. During this period, strong physical exertion (for example, lifting heavy loads) should be avoided. For small umbilical hernias, mild physical activity is possible about three weeks after the umbilical hernia surgery. If at the Umbilical hernia surgery a plastic net was sewn, this is largely stable after 24 to 72 hours and no longer displaceable. Depending on their occupation, patients can be resuscitated seven to 14 days after surgery.