Umbilical hernia

Abstract

The surgeon should appropriately anesthetize the periumbilical area. An infraumbilical incision is made and the subcutaneous fat is dissected down to the linea alba and umbilical stalk below. The umbilical stalk is encircled and divided to free the hernial sac from the skin, with care to avoid injuring the skin. The hernial contents are dissected free from the fascia and hernial defect reduced and the hernial defect is closed either primarily or with mesh. Mesh has the advantage of decreased recurrence, but with the disadvantage of an increased rate of infection [1, 2]. © Springer-Verlag London Limited 2010.