Will an umbilical hernia get bigger as it grows?

Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
Updated on December 14, 2024
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Umbilical hernias may increase in size, particularly in middle-aged, obese women who have been pregnant multiple times, have excessive fat in the greater omentum during pregnancy, or have chronic conditions such as persistent coughs, which can cause continuous increased pressure in the abdominal cavity. This may lead to the gradual enlargement of the hernia sac in an umbilical hernia, and it is very prone to becoming incarcerated. The contents of the incarceration might include the greater omentum or the intestines, particularly the small intestine. Once incarceration and strangulation occur, it is generally recommended that adults with umbilical hernias undergo surgery as soon as possible, with emergency surgical treatment needed in cases of incarceration. Traditional surgical methods include tissue suture repair or open umbilical hernia tension-free repair. If a minimally invasive option is available, it is generally less traumatic and particularly suitable for obese patients.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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Can an umbilical hernia heal itself?

Umbilical hernias can heal on their own, but we need to choose the appropriate method during the treatment process. Generally, if the umbilical hernia occurs before the age of two, we can choose a coin larger than the umbilical ring or a flat board, wrap it in gauze to press against the umbilical ring, and then use tape to secure it to prevent it from moving. In such cases, the hernia may heal on its own. During the observational treatment of an umbilical hernia, it is also important to prevent the child from engaging in vigorous activities or crying. If the diameter of the umbilical ring exceeds 1.5cm after the age two, we recommend choosing surgical treatment. Generally, if the umbilical hernia has not healed by the age of five, we actively recommend opting for surgical treatment. If the child's improper lifestyle can cause aggravation or even rupture of the umbilical hernia, emergency surgery is required in such cases.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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How long will it take for an umbilical hernia to heal?

Umbilical hernia can heal on its own, generally, if the appropriate treatment method is chosen, most umbilical hernias can heal within six months. For children over two years old, if the umbilical hernia has not healed and the diameter of the umbilical ring exceeds 1.5 cm, active surgical treatment is also chosen. For children over five years old, surgical treatment is recommended regardless of the situation. Umbilical hernia occurs because the umbilical ring does not close in time during the child's development, causing the abdomen to protrude. The common treatment method is to choose a coin or cardboard larger than the umbilical ring, wrap it up, press against the umbilical ring, and fix it with adhesive tape to prevent it from moving. This treatment method generally works well and can avoid surgery. However, during the observation process, it is necessary to avoid the occurrence of incarceration or rupture of the hernia.

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Written by He Zong Quan
General Surgery
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What does it look like after an umbilical hernia is healed?

After umbilical hernia occurs, if it is cured and the wound heals, there is no difference from normal. There will be no lumps protruding from the abdominal wall. In principle, surgical treatment is often required after umbilical hernia occurs, as the likelihood of natural healing is small. The surgery mainly involves a tension-free umbilical hernia repair, which includes suturing the hernia ring and generally reinforcing it externally to ensure that the hernia does not recur. After the umbilical hernia is cured, the patient's navel will be flat with no protruding lumps, and there will be no incarceration of the hernia or compression of the intestines, which could cause gastrointestinal symptoms.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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What should I do about my baby's umbilical hernia?

If your baby has an umbilical hernia, there is no need to panic. Generally speaking, this hernia occurs because the area around the baby's navel is not fully developed, leading to the hernia. It usually becomes more noticeable after crying - clearly protruding, but it can retract after resting. Typically, between one to two years old, the hernia may resolve by itself, so there's no need for special treatment. If you feel compelled to do something, you can buy a belt at a maternity and baby store and place a coin or another hard, flat object beneath it to press down on the navel, which can help the hernia repair sooner. However, if the hernia is large and still protrudes noticeably after the age of two, surgical intervention might be necessary.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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Why has the umbilical hernia become hard?

If the umbilical hernia becomes hard, it may indicate that it has become incarcerated. In such cases, vigorous activities should be avoided and one should rest appropriately or try to manually reduce the protruding hernia sac back into the abdominal cavity. In this situation, close observation is needed to check for intestinal necrosis or even rupture of the hernia. Generally, for umbilical hernias, most children can heal naturally within two years, particularly within the first six months if conservative treatment is chosen. One can use a coin or a piece of paper larger than the umbilical ring, wrap it around, press it against the umbilical ring, and then secure it with adhesive tape to prevent movement, which generally leads to healing within six months. If the umbilical ring still has a diameter greater than 1.5 cm after two years, surgical treatment is recommended as early as possible. If the child is over five years old and the umbilical hernia has not healed, timely surgical intervention should be chosen.