chennaiherniasurgeon.com

can umbilical hernia be treated without surgery

can umbilical hernia be treated without surgery

Table of Contents

An umbilical hernia occurs when tissues or organs have protruded through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles near your belly button. While surgery is often the definitive treatment, you are probably looking for other solutions. The following blog will talk about possibilities for the treatment of umbilical hernia without surgery and when surgery might be required.

Umbilical Hernias in Infants:

Fortunately, most major babies’ umbilical hernias resolve on their own during the first years of life. Gentle massage combined with good hygiene in the area could even support this self-healing process. However, if a hernia persists longer than childhood or has become strangulated—blood supply is cut off—surgery is necessary.

Umbilical Hernias in Adults:

Unfortunately, umbilical hernias rarely heal without intervention in adulthood. Here is why:

Pressure Increases: Activities or conditions that exert pressure onto the abdominal wall make the hernia worse in adults. Examples of such activities or conditions are heavy lifting, chronic coughing, or obesity, all of which can contribute to umbilical hernia pain in adults.

Muscle Weakness: The muscles of the abdomen, by their nature, weaken with age, making it unlikely that the hernia will close up on its own. This weakening can exacerbate umbilical hernia pain in adults.

Treatment Options for Umbilical Hernias:

While most small umbilical hernias don’t cause immediate problems and might not require immediate medical attention, there are situations where treatment becomes necessary. Here’s a breakdown of the treatment options available:

  • Observation: For small, painless hernias that aren’t growing or causing discomfort, your doctor might recommend simply monitoring the situation. This may involve regular checkups to track any changes in the size or symptoms of umbilical hernia.
  • Diagnosis of an umbilical hernia often involves a physical examination and imaging tests such as ultrasounds or CT scans to determine the severity and appropriate treatment plan.
  • Surgery: If the hernia is large, painful, strangulated (blood supply is cut off), or causing complications, surgery is the only definitive way to repair it. There are two main types of surgical approaches:
  1. Open repair: This traditional approach involves making an incision near the belly button, pushing the protruding tissue back into the abdomen, and then stitching the weakened abdominal wall muscles closed. In some cases, surgeons may use a piece of mesh to reinforce the repair and prevent future herniation.
  2. Laparoscopic repair: This minimally invasive technique uses several small incisions in the abdomen. A laparoscope, a thin lighted tube with a camera, is inserted through one incision to visualize the hernia. Surgical tools are inserted through other incisions to perform the repair, often using mesh for reinforcement. Laparoscopic surgery typically offers quicker recovery times and less pain compared to open repair.

Your doctor will discuss the best course of treatment for you based on the severity of your hernia, your overall health, and your preferences.

When Surgery Becomes Necessary:

If you experience:

  • Umbilical Hernia Pain in Adults: Persistent pain or discomfort in the hernia area, especially when lifting, straining, or coughing.
  • Navel Displacement: A noticeable bulge near your belly button that doesn’t recede when lying down it could be sign of navel displacement symptoms. This could indicate a larger hernia or potential strangulation.
  • Incarceration: When the protruding tissue gets stuck and can’t be pushed back in. This requires immediate medical attention.

Preparing for Hernia Surgery:

In case one needs surgery, the doctor will explain all about the surgery. There are different ways of conducting surgical operations; it could be through the open surgery in the ancient style or through the minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. You will get advice on how to prepare; this might have dietary restrictions and limitations in activities.

Mini Tummy Tuck:

Although sometimes repair of an umbilical hernia can be combined with a mini tummy tuck in order to trim away excess skin and generally improve upon the look of the abdomen, this is a cosmetic procedure that needs to be discussed separately with a qualified plastic surgeon.

Conclusion:

Even though umbilical hernias in babies will often resolve on their own, surgery is usually a sure cure for adults. Early detection and proper management may greatly help avoid complications should one happen. A doctor should be consulted upon suspicion of having an umbilical hernia so as to discuss the best approach for the case at hand.

FAQs

Is it possible for an umbilical hernia to heal itself?

Yes. Hernias in babies tend to close on their own. Hernias do not close on their own in adults.

Is it safe to live with an umbilical hernia?
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Optio, neque qui velit. Magni dolorum quidem ipsam eligendi, totam, facilis laudantium cum accusamus ullam voluptatibus commodi numquam, error, est. Ea, consequatur.
Should I worry about an umbilical hernia?

If you have a bulge near your belly button, especially if it hurts or does not go away when you lie down, you should see your doctor to decide how best to treat it.

Dr. K. Amilthan MBBS., MS., FMAS., FALS.

Heal Your Hernia Now:

Your Journey to Wellness Begins with us.

Picture of Dr. Amilthan
Dr. Amilthan

Dr. Amilthan is a renowned laparoscopic hernia surgeon based in Chennai, with over 20 years of experience in general surgery. He completed his MBBS and MS in General Surgery at Kilpauk Medical College and Government Royapettah Hospital in Chennai.

Leave a comment on this post

Latest Posts

Schedule an Appointment