Nursing methods for umbilical hernia

Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
Updated on September 03, 2024
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Care methods for umbilical hernia, we need to pay attention to the following points. If during a child's intense crying or activity, the contents of the umbilical hernia protrusion are relatively large, it is important to promptly soothe the patient to avoid incarceration. Because if the incarceration lasts too long, it can lead to necrosis or even rupture of the intestine, potentially endangering the child's life and requiring emergency surgical treatment. The general conservative treatment method for umbilical hernia is to select a coin or flat plate larger than the diameter of the umbilical ring, wrap it around to press against the umbilical ring, and then secure it with adhesive tape to prevent movement. Generally, most children can self-heal within six months. If the umbilical hernia does not heal by itself after two years and the diameter of the umbilical ring is greater than 1.5 cm, surgery is recommended. In any case, if the patient is older than five years and has not healed in a timely manner, it is advisable to proactively opt for surgery as soon as possible.

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Written by Ma Xian Shi
General Surgery
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Difference between umbilical hernia and abdominal linea alba hernia

Umbilical hernias occur when the hernia sac protrudes through the navel ring, commonly developing around the navel area. Linea alba hernias occur between the xiphoid process and the navel, in the area referred to as the linea alba. The hernia that protrudes in this specific region is called a linea alba hernia. Anatomically, these two types of hernias are distinct, so they can be identified based on their anatomical location. Additionally, color ultrasonography can be used to detect the position of the hernia sac. If it is located in the upper abdomen, above the navel, it is generally identified as a linea alba hernia. If it is situated above or below the navel, it may be considered an umbilical hernia. Ultrasound can help differentiate between an umbilical hernia and a linea alba hernia.

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
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Treatment methods for infant umbilical hernia

Infant umbilical hernia is caused by a congenital weak abdominal wall around the navel, leading to protrusion. It generally does not require special treatment methods. As long as care is taken to avoid the child's intense or prolonged crying, actively treat gastrointestinal diseases to prevent increased abdominal pressure that could lead to protrusion, no special treatment is usually necessary. This is because 80% of children with umbilical hernias will see their hernia rings gradually shrink or even close as they grow older, typically by the age of two. Surgical treatment might only be needed if the hernia ring is very large, such as more than two centimeters in diameter, or if the obvious umbilical hernia persists after the age of two.

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Written by Li Chang Yue
General Surgery
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Is it normal for there to be moving gas inside an umbilical hernia?

It is abnormal for there to be movement of gas within an umbilical hernia. This could potentially indicate that the contents of the hernia include a part of the intestine. When excessive intestine is present within the hernial sac of an umbilical hernia, it can easily lead to the movement of gas as it moves through the intestine. This condition is relatively common in clinical settings, and it is also used as a symptom to diagnose the possibility of an umbilical hernia. Therefore, when there is movement of gas observed in an umbilical hernia, it is crucial to reposition the hernia back into place using massage and other standard techniques to avoid prolonged entrapment of the intestine, which can lead to ischemic necrosis and the possible formation of an incarcerated hernia. This condition should be actively treated to prevent complications.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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Does an umbilical hernia affect a baby's gastrointestinal system?

Umbilical hernia generally does not affect a baby's gastrointestinal tract, but we need to avoid the hernia becoming trapped or even rupturing. Once an umbilical hernia has formed, the hernial sac may contain abdominal omentum or possibly intestines. If the intestines become trapped, this can lead to necrosis of the intestines. Generally, patients may experience nausea, vomiting, or even bloody stools. Therefore, umbilical hernias can usually be treated conservatively within the first six months. If the diameter of the umbilical ring is still greater than 1.5 cm after the age of two, we recommend early surgical intervention, as only surgical treatment can cure it. In the treatment process of an umbilical hernia, the conservative treatment methods adopted mainly involve using a coin or a flat board larger than the umbilical ring, wrapping it to press against the umbilical ring, and then securing it with wide tape to prevent movement.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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Can an umbilical hernia be pressed with hands?

Umbilical hernia can be manually reduced by pushing it back into place. For children, most can be reduced by manual manipulation. For adults, it may be relatively more difficult, but generally, if incarceration has not occurred, manual reduction can be successful. In the treatment of umbilical hernia, conservative observation can be considered for children under two years old. The method of using adhesive tape may be employed since the self-healing can occur through their natural development before the age of two with appropriate conservative treatment. If the diameter of the umbilical ring still exceeds 1.5 cm after two years old, surgical intervention should be considered timely. For adults, umbilical hernias are generally treated through surgical means. Adult umbilical hernias are prone to incarceration and strangulation, particularly because the umbilical ring is usually smaller and a sudden increase in abdominal pressure can lead to incarceration. The treatment choices for adult umbilical hernia include tissue repair suturing or tension-free hernia repair, with laparoscopy also being a viable treatment option.