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Umbilical Hernia Repair

Pre-operative Preparation for a Umbilical Hernia Repair procedure

There is some important information about the pre-operative preparation for this procedure. It is imperative that you read this.

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Procedure

The procedure to repair an umbilical hernia is performed using an open technique. A curved incision is made just below the umbilicus (belly button). The herniation, which is usually just some intrabdominal fat through the defect in the muscle sheath is identified and resected. If the defect is small (less than 5mm) then a simple suture repair is undertaken. If it is larger than this than a disc of special mesh, which prevents the adhesion of bowel onto the mesh, is inserted deep to the muscle sheath layer and secured in place with multiple sutures so as to prevent displacement. The umbilicus is then reconstructed by attaching the deep aspect of the skin down to the mesh. Finally the wound is closed in layers with absorbable sutures that do not need to be removed. The wound is injected with long acting local anaesthetic and covered with a dressing. The patient is then transferred to recovery and then back to either day surgery if going home on the same day or to the ward if staying overnight.

Umbilical Hernia - repair using mesh


Post-operative Care following a Umbilical Hernia Repair procedure

There is some very useful information regarding your care following this procedure and it is important that you take time to read it.

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Related Information

Read about Umbilical Hernia