While umbilical hernias in infants almost always heal without the need for surgery, but that is not the case for adults where the hernia cannot heal without medical assistance. There are several typical causes for the development of adult umbilical hernias that include being overweight, after a pregnancy, or have had surgery in the area of the umbilicus, also referred to as the navel or belly button. When your physician confirms that you have an umbilical hernia and that you are at risk for further complications within your abdomen area if the blood supply to the area is cut off, he will refer you to a Glendora General Surgeon for an umbilical hernia repair surgery, a procedure called a herniorrhaphy.
Umbilical Hernia Surgery
There are two ways that a herniorrhaphy can be performed, as an open operation or as a laparoscopic procedure. Your surgeon will determine the best approach for your individual situation. You will be given a general anesthetic before the surgery so that you will be asleep and not feel any pain. The operation will require about two hours for completion.
Open Surgery
Your surgeon will make one incision below your navel large enough to insert surgical instruments. He will locate and isolate the hernia sac from surrounding tissue and push the hernia back into its normal position. If the hernia is small, stitches are used to repair the weak spot where the hernia was situated. If the hernia is large, a mesh graft will be placed over the weak spot to strengthen the area. The surgery site will be closed with sutures that will not need to be removed so that the hernia does not return.
Laparoscopic Surgery
Your surgeon will make several small incisions. A laparoscope, a thin surgical instrument with an attached camera, will be inserted through one incision for the surgeon to clearly see the operation site. Other surgical instruments needed for the procedure will be inserted through the other incisions. The remainder of the surgery will be performed in the same manner as the open surgery.
After Surgery Care
Your surgeon will provide you with after surgery care that includes how long you need to keep the surgery site dry, what soreness to expect, how to protect the navel area while performing normal activities that may put pressure on the incision while it is healing, when you can return to work, and when you need to schedule an in office, follow up appointment.
