How to press back an umbilical hernia?

Written by Tang Da Wei
General Surgery
Updated on September 25, 2024
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Umbilical hernias are generally more common in newborns, primarily because the umbilical ring has not yet completely closed. In children, lumps appear in the navel area when they cry or when abdominal pressure increases. To address an umbilical hernia, first massage the area around the belly button, then gently return the hernial sac to the abdominal cavity with both hands. After returning the hernia, secure it externally with a hernia belt. This can effectively prevent the recurrence of the umbilical hernia. Typically, through conservative treatment, which involves this method of binding for about one to two months, the patient’s umbilical hernia can heal on its own.

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
1min 18sec home-news-image

The difference between infant umbilical hernia and hernia

Infant umbilical hernia is a type of hernia, which differs from general hernias as the latter encompasses a broader category including umbilical hernia, direct inguinal hernia, indirect inguinal hernia, etc. Infant umbilical hernia is caused by a congenital weakness in the abdominal wall at the navel, leading to a protrusion. Similarly, hernias are often the result of insufficient developmental thickness of the abdominal wall. Thus, when intra-abdominal pressure increases, contents such as the intestine can protrude through the hernia sac, forming a hernia. Regardless of the type, whether umbilical or otherwise, it is essential to visit a pediatric surgical department in a hospital for examination and analysis. Most umbilical hernias close as the child grows and the hernial ring narrows, usually by the age of two, and often do not require special treatment. However, surgical treatment may be necessary for a small portion of cases where the diameter of the hernial ring is larger than two centimeters or has not closed after the age of two. For hernias in other locations, if incarceration occurs, emergency surgery is needed, and surgery may still be required if the condition does not resolve spontaneously.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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Why has the umbilical hernia become hard?

If the umbilical hernia becomes hard, it may indicate that it has become incarcerated. In such cases, vigorous activities should be avoided and one should rest appropriately or try to manually reduce the protruding hernia sac back into the abdominal cavity. In this situation, close observation is needed to check for intestinal necrosis or even rupture of the hernia. Generally, for umbilical hernias, most children can heal naturally within two years, particularly within the first six months if conservative treatment is chosen. One can use a coin or a piece of paper larger than the umbilical ring, wrap it around, press it against the umbilical ring, and then secure it with adhesive tape to prevent movement, which generally leads to healing within six months. If the umbilical ring still has a diameter greater than 1.5 cm after two years, surgical treatment is recommended as early as possible. If the child is over five years old and the umbilical hernia has not healed, timely surgical intervention should be chosen.

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Written by He Zong Quan
General Surgery
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Does pressing on an umbilical hernia hurt?

Umbilical hernias often occur because there is a weak spot near the navel and a defect in the abdominal wall, allowing abdominal contents to protrude through this weak spot and form a lump on the surface. If the hernia is not strangulated, the contents can be reduced when the patient lies flat, causing no obvious symptoms. However, if the protruding contents cannot be reduced, there may be strangulation or the hernial ring may be too small. Pressing on the protruding lump at this time may cause pain. This pain generally becomes more pronounced the longer the protrusion persists. Of course, if the hernia is completely strangulated, causing circulatory problems, the pain may significantly decrease, but this does not indicate an improvement in condition. Therefore, if an umbilical hernia becomes painful upon pressing, surgical treatment should be considered to avoid complications.

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
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Does infant umbilical hernia require surgery?

If an infant's umbilical hernia still shows obvious protrusion after two years of age, surgery is required. Another scenario that necessitates surgery is if the diameter of the hernia ring of the infant's umbilical hernia is relatively large, such as more than 2cm, as generally, it cannot heal by itself. However, over 80% of infant umbilical hernias do not require special treatment or surgery. As age increases and nutrition is maintained, the subcutaneous tissues around the abdominal wall's umbilical hernia ring can repair and narrow, leading to healing.

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Written by Dong Xian Yan
Pediatrics
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Why does the baby's umbilical hernia make a sound when pressed?

When pressing on a baby's umbilical hernia, a sound may be heard, primarily because the contents of the hernia are the intestines, most commonly the small intestine. Digestive fluids and gases are present in the intestines, so when pressed, the movement of gas through the digestive fluid can easily produce a sound, which is normal. The occurrence of an umbilical hernia in babies is mainly due to the incomplete development of the abdominal wall muscles and the umbilical ring not being fully closed. This allows internal organs like the intestines and mesentery to protrude through the umbilical ring, leading to symptoms of an umbilical hernia. After the appearance of an umbilical hernia, most children's hernias close on their own within the first year, with only a minority requiring surgical treatment.