Symptoms and treatments for umbilical hernia in children and adults

The weakest part of the abdominal cavity is the umbilical ring, which is already becoming a predisposing factor for the development of such a complex disease as an umbilical hernia. This is a surgical disorder that is characterized by bulging of internal organs through a weakened navel ring. The organs that have gone beyond their anatomical position are trapped in the hernial sac, and at any moment they can be squeezed sharply with all the ensuing consequences.

Congenital umbilical hernia is the most common type of surgical disease in newborns, which manifests itself even before the overgrowth of the umbilical cord or within a few months of life.

In adults, this deviation is associated with weakness of the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall and a regular increase in pressure inside the peritoneum. In terms of prevalence, umbilical hernia ranks third among all types of protrusions in the abdomen.

Why does an umbilical hernia occur?

For the formation of a hernia, the umbilical ring is an ideal place, because it is not protected by fat and muscles. The disease occurs suddenly, and at the same time it can immediately become complicated when the hernial orifice first expands sharply, letting in organs, then narrows, squeezing the contents.

Infringement is the most difficult and frequent consequence, which will be the reason for the operation, otherwise there is a risk of ischemia and organ death.

Why does a hernia of the umbilical ring occur in children and adults:

Congenital weakness of the umbilical ring - after birth, the navel ring closes and scars, which is the norm, but in pathology this process is disturbed. The navel may not overgrow, scarring does not occur, which will leave a small hole in the future. Over time, pressure drops of the abdominal wall lead to the expansion of the ring, and at one moment a part of the organ penetrates through it.
Bearing a fetus and difficult childbirth is the main cause of pathology in women, because during pregnancy there are all factors that contribute to the development of a hernia. This is high pressure, stretching and muscle weakness, increased load on the front wall of the abdomen. The most dangerous period will be the 2nd-3rd trimester, when the fetus actively grows, the uterus expands, and constipation, overeating, and polyhydramnios can aggravate this.
Frequent increase in intra-abdominal pressure - the abdominal wall is a complex system of muscles and connective tissue, and each structure can suffer from various traumatic factors. When there is a weakness of the press, the abdominal wall can no longer fully withstand the load drops, and a change in pressure leads to stretching and loss of elasticity of the muscle elements. The tissues become thinner over time, the ligaments expand, which leads to the mobility of some organs. Any of them at the time of increasing pressure (cough, straining, screaming, bloating) can get into the hernial sac, then an acquired hernia of the umbilical ring occurs.
Excess weight and rapid weight loss - these factors are associated with a change in the conditions of the functioning of the body, which in a stressful situation is prone to various pathologies. Obesity leads to constant pressure on the abdominal wall, and a sharp weight loss leads to muscle atrophy, the umbilical ring weakens, and the formation of a hernial ring occurs.
Injuries and postoperative complications - a hernia can occur in the area of scars and sutures, which is associated with a violation of the anatomical integrity of the musculoskeletal apparatus, an artificially formed opening becomes a hernial ring.

In the hernial sac, there is often a loop of intestines, an omentum, and a part of the stomach. It is these organs that suffer the most, which gives specific symptoms.

Symptoms of the disease

Uncomplicated umbilical hernia has a typical clinical picture. Outwardly, the bulge of the navel or the pineal formation near it is visible. At rest and in a horizontal position, the contents of the bag return to their place. An important diagnostic sign is the symptom of a cough shock, when the formation sticks out during a cough.

As the formation increases, when a large part of the organ is in the hernial sac, specific sensations appear. The patient is disturbed by soreness, a feeling of squeezing, nausea, and general well-being worsens. Common complaints are loss of appetite and occasional vomiting.

Without treatment, the hernia becomes irreducible, then all the symptoms increase and there is a risk of infringement. An irreducible hernia increases in size, becomes dense and does not hide in the abdominal cavity in the supine position.

Over time, the skin over the protrusion becomes very thin, and through it you can see the contents of the hernial sac. But even in this case, the bright symptoms of the disease may be absent. The cause of their appearance can be dyspeptic disorders, in particular constipation.

Complicated hernia has severe symptoms. The condition worsens sharply, signs of intoxication increase, severe pain worries. When pressed, the protrusion is painful, does not reduce, a pulsation can be felt. There is no symptom of a cough shock during infringement, which already allows diagnosing a serious condition with the need for surgical treatment.

Types of hernias of the umbilical ring

There are congenital and acquired hernias. In the first case, the protrusion can be germinal and embryonic. Acquired disease occurs in adults against the background of the influence of external and internal factors, such a hernia can be direct and oblique.

Types of umbilical hernias:

direct - organs penetrate the skin through the umbilical ring;
oblique - the exit of organs occurs in the area between the white line of the abdomen and the transverse fascia, then the protrusion passes through the navel ring;
unimpaired;
disadvantaged.

In children, uncomplicated direct hernias are more often diagnosed, in adults - oblique ones.

What are the complications

By itself, a hernia is not dangerous, the organs continue to function normally, and with a small defect, the disease is asymptomatic. But the risk lies in the possibility of developing complications, which can happen at any time. A hernia requires removal, because it is unpredictable, and there are many factors that cannot be prevented with a full guarantee.

The cause of complications can be high loads, overeating, chronic cough, constipation, surgery, trauma.

What is dangerous hernia of the umbilical ring:

infringement - the organs are sharply squeezed, the clamping occurs in the area of the gate or in the hernial sac itself, when most of the organ penetrates into it;
coprostasis - feces are retained in the part of the intestine located in the hernial sac, which can result in intestinal obstruction;
inflammation is a serious condition, the pathological process affects the contents of the hernia, the infection quickly spreads to the surrounding tissues.

The following symptoms may indicate a complication:

increase in education, its compaction, redness, pulsation;
fever, weakness, nausea and vomiting;
pulling pain in the lower abdomen, radiating to the leg;
the release of blood clots along with vomiting;
severe pain, hardness and enlargement of the abdomen.

Increasing symptoms of pain and dyspepsia may indicate peritonitis. This is an inflammation of the abdominal cavity, and such a condition without timely help can be fatal. Another dangerous consequence will be intestinal obstruction, which occurs when the intestinal loop is blocked by feces.

Any even slight induration in the area of the abdominal wall should alert.

A hernia by external signs can be confused with a more dangerous disease - a cancerous tumor. Due to the risk of a serious condition, self-medication is strictly prohibited. The first thing to do if these symptoms occur is to consult a doctor. After an external examination, the specialist will prescribe a series of studies, the results of which will already make it possible to make an accurate diagnosis and begin treatment.

Diagnostics

An experienced doctor sees a hernia already during an external examination and palpation of the abdominal cavity, taking into account the patient's complaints and anamnesis of life. But this disease can be of different types and it may be accompanied by other disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, which will require treatment before surgery. In order to accurately assess the condition and select the most safe treatment, the doctor will prescribe instrumental diagnostics and general tests.

With an umbilical hernia, the main method of investigation is ultrasound. Ultrasound diagnostics will show the location of the hernial sac, the organs affected in the pathological process and the condition of the surrounding structures. Ultrasound determines the size, contours of education, helps to see the presence of adhesive processes.

Herniography is an X-ray examination using a contrast agent. This method is used when there is doubt about the diagnosis. In the picture, the doctor will already be able to examine in more detail all the violations in the area of the protrusion.

Additionally, endoscopy, radiography and gastroduodenoscopy may be prescribed. These studies will confirm or exclude neoplasms, cysts, inflammatory processes that can give symptoms similar to a hernia.

Treatment Methods

The main treatment for an umbilical hernia is removal by tension or tension-free hernioplasty. Newborns are the only category of patients in whom the protrusion can disappear on its own without the need for surgery, but the risk of recurrence is always present.

Before the operation, patients are prescribed a diet and wearing an umbilical bandage. These are important measures to prevent complications, which will eliminate the risk of infringement against the background of a sharp increase in pressure and stress on the abdominal wall.

In addition to hernioplasty, laparoscopic surgery can be performed, which has a relatively lower percentage of postoperative complications. But with infringement and other complications, only open surgery can be performed. After surgical treatment, in a month you can return to your usual life, but an important condition will be compliance with prevention.

Postoperative umbilical hernia is a common consequence of hernia repair that occurs in children and adults for various reasons, most often they are surgeon errors during the operation and non-compliance with the regimen during the rehabilitation period.

Non-surgical treatment will be carried out only if there are contraindications to surgery: pregnancy, malignant neoplasms, decompensated CVS pathologies.

Resting in the early period of rehabilitation, dieting, performing a set of exercises, eliminating bad habits and hard physical work help prevent the recurrence of the disease.