Umbilical Hernia Treatment in Israel - Dr. Igor Markovich, General Surgeon

Umbilical Hernia Treatment

An umbilical hernia is an abnormal protrusion of the abdominal cavity contents (part of the intestine, and/or omentum) through the pathologically enlarged umbilical ring.

Causes of umbilical Hernia in Adults

Most umbilical hernias are congenital. About 90% are diagnosed in adulthood. According to various sources, an umbilical hernia is diagnosed in about 2% of adults.

Women suffer from umbilical hernias 3 times more often than men. Patients with cirrhosis have umbilical hernias in about 20% of cases.

Umbilical Hernia in Women and Men

Umbilical hernia is most common in women, as a consequence of increased intra-abdominal pressure during pregnancy, coupled with obesity, the presence of ascites or other causes that increase intra-abdominal pressure. Weakening of the anterior abdominal wall muscles, their replacement with fatty tissue, all these and other causes lead to the formation of an umbilical hernia.

An umbilical hernia in women is usually asymptomatic. The men may suffer from symptomatic, incarcerated umbilical hernia. Emergency surgical treatment of an umbilical hernia is more often performed in men. Women are more likely to undergo elective umbilical hernia surgery.

Umbilical hernia Symptoms

Umbilical hernias, in both adults and children, manifest themselves in the same way. The leading symptom of an umbilical hernia is an external bulge and deformity of the navel. Moderate pain and discomfort in the navel area is the next most common symptom of an uncomplicated umbilical hernia.

Intolerable pain, discoloration of the skin at the navel, abdominal bloating, and sometimes nausea, vomiting, and lack of stool are signs of an incarcerated umbilical hernia.

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How to Diagnose Umbilical Hernia

Diagnosis of an umbilical hernia is usually quite simple.

The presence of a bulge and deformity of the navel, palpation of the widened umbilical ring, are fairly reliable signs of the presence of an umbilical hernia.

In some cases, the appearance of an umbilical hernia may be a symptom of another disease, so the examination should be performed by an experienced and qualified surgeon.

Diagnosing an umbilical hernia can sometimes be difficult in overweight patients. If there is swelling in the umbilicus area in the absence of other symptoms, another surgical abnormality should be suspected and additional diagnostic tools such as ultrasound or CT scanning should be used.

How to Treat an Umbilical Hernia

Treatment of an umbilical hernia is only surgical. Surgery for an umbilical hernia is performed by open or laparoscopic methods, with or without placement of a synthetic mesh. Each method has its own indications and contraindications, advantages and disadvantages. Determine the correct choice of surgery for an umbilical hernia will help the surgeon.

It is always recommended to get opinion of at least two to three independent specialists to make sure the indications and method of operation was chosen correctly.

Before the surgery, you should read the surgery consent form, preferably several times in your native language.
It is possible to take the form home, sign it and bring it with you on the day of hospitalization.
You can view and download the consent form for umbilical hernia surgery in English on the official website of the Ministry of Health or on the website of the Israel Medical Association, where it is located at number 47.

Like many other surgical diseases, umbilical hernia can recur in some cases. Recurrence depends as much on the accurate diagnosis, choice of surgical technique as it does on the patient, his general health, medication compliance, adherence to the surgeon’s prescriptions in the pre- and post-operative period.

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Preparation for Umbilical Hernia Surgery and Postoperative Period

Any surgical intervention is an extraordinary and stressful condition for the body, and therefore, it is necessary to prepare for it so that it will go as smoothly as possible without any complications.

An ordinary operation for an umbilical hernia is considered a minimal surgical intervention and, accordingly, with minimal stress on the body. How to prepare for the operation and the postoperative period to minimize complications?

Meeting with your surgeon prior to surgery, you will receive comprehensive explanations about the upcoming operation, the answers to your questions, if any.
If you suffer from any chronic diseases, they should be brought to the state of greatest stabilization
Medications taken routinely at home should be corrected at the initial appointment with the operating surgeon.
Stopping or at least reducing the intensity of smoking for at least 2 weeks prior to surgery is recommended to help reduce the risk of pulmonary complications as well as in the wound area.
An abdomen should be devoid of hair a day or two before surgery.
The last food intake is allowed 6 hours before surgery and fluid intake 4 hours before surgery.
Immediately before the surgery, it is recommended to take a shower so that the skin is as clean as possible, the navel should be thoroughly washed with soap and water.
Hospitalization takes place the evening before or at the morning of the surgery day. When hospitalizing, it is important not to forget to bring hygiene products and underwear. If the operation is uncomplicated, you can be discharged on the day of surgery or the next day.
After the operation you can get out of bed by yourself or with support, depending on the general condition of the patient and the anesthesia under which the operation was carried out. If you feel well, you can walk down the corridor of the department and even go outside.
After discharge from the hospital, the return to routine life after surgery is gradual, the main criterion for physical activity is the severity of the pain. It is important to take pain medications strictly as recommended by your operating surgeon.
The first visit to your surgeon in the clinic is desirable in the first week after surgery. The surgeon who operated on you, should make sure that no early complications occurred, and if any, take all measures to treat them. Further visits are determined by your surgeon, it is possible that they will no longer be needed.