Umbilical Hernia Surgery

Umbilical hernias most often close all by themselves — usually by the time a child is 4 or 5 years old. Children with very large umbilical hernias will likely need surgical repair.

When a hernia is very large, many surgeons will fix it when the child is 1 to 2 years old. Otherwise, waiting to see if the hernia closes on its own is often the best course of action. If the hernia doesn't close as the child grows and develops stomach muscle, it will then be repaired with surgery.

The surgical procedure to repair a umbilical hernia requires a general anesthetic and your child will be taken to the operating room. It does not require a hospital stay unless your child has some additional condition that needs post-operative nursing care.

Your infant's care team will stay in close contact with you to discuss any pre-op preparation or follow-up care that may be required.

If your baby has an umbilical hernia, you will notice a bulge near their belly button area. The bulge may swell when your child cries or coughs and may go away when they calm down. While umbilical hernias are usually pain-free, you should contact your child's doctor right away if it looks to be causing your baby any pain or discomfort.     

Umbilical hernias are usually diagnosed during regular physical exams by your baby's pediatrician. Your child's doctor should be able to determine the severity of the condition and may even be able to push the bulge back into the abdomen during the appointment.

Imaging tests, like an ultrasound, are rarely done for umbilical hernias, but may be advised if it's necessary to check for further risks or complications. If the umbilical hernia looks to be serious, immediate umbilical hernia repair may be recommended.

It’s natural for parents and loved ones to want to know as much as possible leading up to a pediatric surgery. Below are some common questions that may help kids and their family feel more comfortable prior to their procedure date.

• How will this surgery help my child?
• Why is it the best option moving forward?
• Are there any risks associated with this procedure? What are the benefits of this procedure?
• What medications will be used throughout the process?
• Who will be a part of my child’s surgical care team?
• How can we best prepare for the surgery? What do we need to know about the recovery process?
• How long will the hospital stay be?
• Is there anything my child should or shouldn’t eat before and after surgery?