Umbilical Hernia Repair

An umbilical hernia is a relatively common and mild condition. It consists of a more or less significant protuberance at the level of the umbilicus (the navel). It can resolve on its own and will disappear during the first 18 months of your child's life. If it won’t, it can be treated with surgery.

The umbilical hernia is generally benign and more common in children than in adults, especially in boys, this type of hernia is often present from birth and caused by a congenital malformation. In adults, it is generally latent and becomes visible following repeated, intense efforts such as lifting a load, chronic cough, chronic constipation, or significant weight gain as in pregnancy or obesity.

Who Is This For?

An umbilical hernia is not caused by a disease, but rather by the weakness of the abdominal muscles, which is quite common in newborns. If the baby's muscles are not strong enough, the result will be that the umbilical ring will not close completely, thus forming an "opening" that will allow part of the intestine to pass through.

Treatment Duration

1 hour

Potential Risks & Side Effects

• Anesthesia risks

• Bleeding

• Infection

• Umbilical hernia recurrence

• Bowel injury

Recovery Time

You can resume your daily activities or work in 2-3 days after umbilical hernia treatment. At the end of the first month of recovery, you will be able to resume any physical and professional activity normally.

Success Rate

95%

Alternative Treatments

Without surgery, the umbilical hernia will not heal, and hernia pain and size will usually increase over time. Alternatives may be offered as a traditional open surgery or a less invasive laparoscopic procedure.

How Does It Work?

In almost 80% of cases, the umbilical hernia will resolve on its own before the child reaches a year and a half, precisely because his/her muscles will strengthen as his/her motor development. Everything should be back to normal before your child's second birthday. In some cases, it will be necessary to wait a little longer. However, keep in mind that a doctor will not usually recommend surgery until your child is four or five years old. After this age, you should probably consider having it operated.

In adults, however, it is important to treat the umbilical hernia as soon as possible to reduce the risk of strangulation.

The reasons for umbilical hernia surgery are above all aesthetic, but they also make it possible to avoid rare complications which could occur when your child becomes an adult. Surgery is safe and does not require a long hospital stay. As is the case with any surgery, your child will need to be a little more careful during the days following the surgery, but everything will be back to normal after about a week.

What Does an Umbilical Hernia Treatment Involve?

1.         Consultation for Umbilical Hernia Treatment

Your umbilical hernia treatment process under the guidance of FlyMedi begins with an online consultation. Our experts listen to your complaints and your expectations to be able to inform you about whether you need umbilical hernia treatment or not. It is important to share all the necessary information affect the initial evaluation at this stage. If available, it will be supportive if you share the photos of the umbilical hernia to show its current situation.

2.         Planning Your Trip and Choosing the Clinic

After your eligibility for treatment is resolved and you want to move on to the second step, we will send a list of clinics that meet the criteria you provide us. Once you decide on one of them, we will move on to the stage of planning your trip and treatment process.

3.         Final Consultation with Your Surgeon

When you arrive at the clinic, you will have a face-to-face consultation with your doctor. Everything about your treatment will be discussed and decided during this consultation. The doctor will make you understand what you should expect from your surgery and the potential risks or complications of the procedure which are rare. Your doctor will explain the whole process clearly and try to simulate it as much as possible, in order you to feel ready.

4.         Medical Examinations

Before the umbilical hernia surgery begins, your doctor will conduct physical and blood tests to make sure that you are in acceptable health status for the process. Every patient is required to undergo medical tests to ensure that nothing can hinder the success of the procedure and if any risk obtained, doctors will try to eliminate them first.

5.         Treatment

In children, the umbilical hernia does not require treatment too early, there will be spontaneous closure before the age of 2-4 years. In case of persistence, surgery can be performed.

In adults, surgery is also the only treatment for cosmetic discomfort or complications. The surgery involves these steps:

• Preparation: Before surgery, you should stop taking aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs that will increase bleeding, stop taking herbal supplements and not smoke. It is the standard rule to stop eating anything at least 6 hours before surgery, but your surgeon may give another instruction. If you try to strictly follow the instructions and suggestions given, you will have a very comfortable treatment and recovery process.

•  Administration of Anesthesia: The surgery is generally performed under general anesthesia; however, if your umbilical hernia is small, you may receive a spinal, epidural block, or local anesthesia.

• Surgery: The surgery consists of reducing and replacing the contents of the hernia, then closing the orifice of the hernia with a prosthesis to strengthen and protect the abdominal wall. It is made either by a traditional incision or by laparoscopy which is the most frequent option today. This technique has the advantage of creating less trauma to the surrounding skin and making a smaller scar. It also allows for a shorter recovery to resume normal activities. The surgeon can also make a semicircular incision at the base of the umbilicus (belly button), then gently push back the protruding part of the intestine and finish the procedure by suturing the umbilicus so that it is smaller than before.

• Monitoring: At the end of the umbilical hernia treatment, the patient is transferred to the recovery room for 2 hours. The anesthetist will monitor the patient’s consciousness, pulse, oxygen saturation, and breathing.

What Should I Expect from Umbilical Hernia Treatment?

• You can go home the same day after a simple (small size) umbilical hernia treatment. You may need to stay in the hospital longer if you have anesthetic conditions or complications such as nausea, vomiting, bleeding, or infection after surgery.

• You can resume your eating habits normally, without following a particular diet.

• You will be advised to do light physical activity, such as walking, to promote recovery. You will return to normal activity after several weeks.

FAQ

Is Umbilical Hernia Treatment Procedure Painful?

You may feel pain or soreness after the umbilical hernia treatment procedure is done. However, your surgeon may prescribe painkillers to relieve this pain and discomfort.

What Are the Characteristics of Umbilical Hernia in Babies?

• A protrusion above the navel which can reach several centimeters.

•  Its size sometimes increases visibly when the baby makes an effort, for example when he cries very hard.

• It can easily enter the abdomen without your baby experiencing pain.

• Depending on its size, an umbilical hernia may seem painful, but it causes absolutely no pain to your child. If you have the impression that the umbilical hernia is hurting your baby, it is necessary to look for another possible cause for this pain (colic, for example).

Learn more about Umbilical Hernia Repair in Turkey by comparing costs and reviewing the clinics and doctors.

Overall Satisfaction 9.9 Based on 3 reviews

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• Verified Review
  Alin, Romania
  Nov 2022
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• Verified Review
  Chole Kumbi, United Kingdom
  Feb 2019
  Umbilical hernia repairI am from London, I found FlyMedi when looking for somewhere to do my umbilical hernia surgery, from the beginning Nadia was so helpful and answered every question i had. My surgery was done in Ethica Hospital, the doctor was very efficient and the staff were helpful. Overall the surgery went very well and i am fully recovered.
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• Verified Review
  Vasile, Romania
  Jan 2018
  Nu o sa regretati niciodata ca ati ales servicile Flymedi.Foarte corecti si fara prea multe vorbe .Mutumesc mult Flymedi
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