Umbilical Hernia

Aka: Umbilical Hernia, Paraumbilical Hernia

1. See Also
   1. Hernia
   2. Inguinal Hernia
   3. Inguinal Hernia in Children
   4. Sports Hernia
   5. Inguinal Hernia
   6. Femoral Hernia
   7. Epigastric Hernia
   8. Incisional Hernia
   9. Spigelian Hernia
   10. Diastasis Recti
   11. Hernia Reduction
2. Epidemiology
   1. Prevalence: 10-30%
3. Pathophysiology
   1. Type of Ventral Hernia
   2. Infants
      1. Congenital defect in linea alba (failure to close completely at birth)
      2. Umbilical ring usually closes by age 12-18 months
      3. Repair is rarely recommended under age 3 years
   3. Adults (Paraumbilical Hernia): Predisposing factors
      1. Women with multiparity
      2. Obesity
      3. Cirrhosis with Ascites
      4. Increased intrathoracic pressure (e.g. Asthma, COPD)
      5. African american
4. Signs
   1. Congenital Hernia protrudes through firm collar
      1. Complete fibrous collar continuous with linea alba
      2. Palpable as firm ring
   2. Adult Paraumbilical Hernias
      1. Soft Hernia covered only by skin
      2. May be obscured by subcutaneous fat
5. Differential Diagnosis
   1. Diastasis Recti
6. Complications
   1. High risk of Incarcerated Hernia (especially men and Overweight women)
      1. Incarceration typically with preperitoneal fat
      2. Large Umbilical Hernias may entrap Large Bowel
7. References
   1. Degowin (1987) Diagnostic Examination, p. 489-96
   2. Goroll (2000) Primary Care Medicine, p. 431-433
   3. Stevens (2013) Crit Dec Emerg Med 27(9): 2