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Umbilical hernia
What will happen if an infant's umbilical hernia is not treated?
Umbilical hernia in infants is considered a congenital developmental disease, caused by the incomplete development of the abdominal wall at the navel, leading to protrusion, especially noticeable when the baby cries or has a cold. Generally, special treatment is not necessary, as about 80% of infants will see the hernial ring gradually decrease in size or even close by the age of two, achieving self-healing without the need for special intervention. However, treatment is required for a small fraction of children whose hernial ring diameter is greater than 2cm, or who still exhibit a noticeable umbilical hernia after the age of two. Without treatment, there is a risk of incarceration, which can also cause abdominal discomfort in the child, poor digestion, and other symptoms.
Minimally invasive umbilical hernia surgery takes how long?
The specific duration of minimally invasive umbilical hernia surgery depends on the actual findings during the exploration. For instance, whether there are severe adhesions inside the patient's abdominal cavity and if there are any associated injuries to the internal organs during the surgery. In most cases, if everything goes smoothly, the surgery can be completed in about two hours. Generally, minimally invasive treatment methods such as intraperitoneal mesh repair are used, typically choosing an anti-adhesion patch. Laparoscopic repair causes even less trauma and allows for the preservation of the umbilicus without the need for extensive dissection. The chances of infection at the surgical site are very low post-surgery, and there is usually no need for drainage, making it particularly suitable for obese patients. Umbilical hernia repairs are generally recommended to be performed as soon as possible once diagnosed in adults, because umbilical hernias can become incarcerated or strangulated.
When does an infant's umbilical hernia require surgery?
Most cases of umbilical hernia in infants do not require surgery, as 80% of infants with an umbilical hernia will see it gradually close as they grow older and their bodies develop. Surgery is only necessary in a small number of children if the hernia is still pronounced after the age of two, or if the hernia ring is too large, exceeding 2 cm in diameter, and cannot heal naturally. Surgery is also required if the hernia becomes incarcerated. In other cases, it is sufficient to prevent the child from crying excessively, avoid prolonged crying, and actively prevent and treat digestive system diseases in children to reduce abdominal pressure and prevent protrusion.
When can an infant's umbilical hernia heal?
Umbilical hernia in infants is caused by a congenitally weaker abdominal wall around the navel, leading to a protruding navel. This protrusion is more likely to occur when a child cries intensely or has indigestion leading to increased gastrointestinal gas and abdominal pressure. Most umbilical hernias do not require special treatment, as up to 80% of children with an umbilical hernia will see the hernia ring narrow and possibly close naturally as they grow and develop physically, particularly before the age of two. It is sufficient to prevent long periods of intense crying and actively manage conditions that increase abdominal pressure, especially those related to the digestive system. If a child still has a noticeable hernia after the age of two, or if the diameter of the hernia ring exceeds 2 cm, it typically will not heal naturally and surgical treatment may be necessary.
Does the umbilical hernia belt work for infants?
Infant umbilical hernia occurs due to a thin abdominal wall around the navel, caused by insufficient prenatal development. When a child cries intensely or has increased gas in the gastrointestinal tract, which raises the abdominal pressure, the navel may bulge out, forming an umbilical hernia. It does not require special treatment, and using a hernia belt is ineffective and may even cause local damage and physiological discomfort in the child, thus it is not necessary to use one. Generally, it is sufficient to prevent long periods of intense crying in the child, actively prevent and treat diseases of the child’s digestive system, and avoid increased abdominal pressure to prevent recurrent navel bulging. Over 80% of children will see the hernia ring gradually narrow and even close naturally before the age of two as their physical development matures. Only a small portion of children who still have a noticeable umbilical hernia after two years, or whose hernia ring diameter is greater than two centimeters, might need to consider surgical treatment.
Can an umbilical hernia be seen as a bulge?
Umbilical hernia manifests as a bulge around the belly button, mainly because the contents of the hernia include the intestines and omentum. This bulge becomes apparent when there is an increase in abdominal pressure due to crying or other activities, pushing the intestinal contents through the weak area around the navel, resulting in a noticeable protrusion. This bulge has a characteristic feature known as reducibility. It disappears when lying flat or in a calm state, but becomes more apparent and may increase in size when standing or under conditions of increased abdominal pressure, such as crying, shouting, or jumping. Clinically, this reducibility of the bulge is used to diagnose an umbilical hernia.
Is it normal for a baby to have an umbilical hernia with a belly button sound?
Infant umbilical hernia is caused by a congenitally weak abdominal wall around the navel, allowing organs within the abdominal cavity, such as intestines, to protrude through the hernia spot. If bowel sounds are enhanced, one might hear noises from the belly button. This is usually not concerning as long as there is no incarceration. Generally, it is important to avoid causing the child to cry intensely for long periods and to actively treat and prevent gastrointestinal diseases to avoid excessive abdominal pressure that can lead to frequent protrusions from the navel. Most umbilical hernias will gradually close and heal before the age of two as the child grows and their physique develops. Only a small portion of children with a large hernia ring diameter, such as more than two centimeters, or children who still have a noticeable umbilical hernia after the age of two, might require surgical intervention for treatment.
How to determine if it is an umbilical hernia?
The most typical symptom of an umbilical hernia is a protruding lump at the navel, which generally disappears on its own when the patient is sleeping soundly or lying flat. In most cases in children, the lump can enlarge and may become firmer when crying, standing, or straining the abdomen. It tends to reduce or even disappear during rest. Most adults become aware of the condition in children while doing laundry or bathing. In adults, umbilical hernias mostly occur due to conditions like pregnancy, excessive fat, chronic coughing, severe liver cirrhosis, ascites, etc. Adult umbilical hernias are prone to incarceration and strangulation, therefore, surgery is generally recommended as soon as possible. In children, conservative treatment methods can be adopted before the age of two, as the chances of incarceration are relatively low. Before two years of age, a coin or cardboard larger than the umbilical ring is used, held against the umbilical ring and secured with adhesive tape; this usually leads to spontaneous closure.
Will there still be a lump on the belly button after umbilical hernia surgery?
Umbilical hernia refers to a bulge formed by the contents of the abdominal cavity protruding through a weak spot in the navel area, commonly seen in infants and young children. Most umbilical hernias can heal on their own within the first year as the umbilical fascial ring gradually contracts. Therefore, unless there is incarceration of the hernia, it is possible to observe and use non-surgical treatment before the age of two. When the child reaches two years of age and the diameter of the hernia exceeds 1.5 centimeters, surgical treatment is recommended. After the surgical treatment of the umbilical hernia, the bulge on the belly button will disappear. The surgery involves making a small incision at the lower edge of the navel, freeing the hernial sac, repositioning the herniated contents, and after excising part of the hernial sac at the hernial ring, suturing is performed.
Does umbilical hernia have any sequelae?
In most cases, children with umbilical hernias can be cured without any sequelae. However, if the umbilical hernia becomes incarcerated, leading to severe complications such as bowel necrosis, there may be sequelae of adhesive intestinal obstruction after surgical treatment. Umbilical hernia is due to the non-closure of the umbilical ring and weak abdominal muscles in children, which can easily lead to the protrusion of the intestines and mesentery through the umbilical ring when intra-abdominal pressure increases. As children grow older, most can heal on their own within one year. If it does not close after one year or if incarceration occurs, surgical treatment is required.