Umbilical Hernia: Basic Concepts, Diagnosis and Treatment Options

Umbilical Hernias are those ventral type hernias, and can be located within the umbilicus or in its surroundings, according to “The European Hernia Society “classifications, a hernia can be defined as an umbilical hernia when is located 3 cm above and 3cm below the umbilicus. In order to classify hernias, they have to be divided into 3 types: Omphalocele and gastroschisis, infant umbilical hernias and acquired umbilical hernias. The diagnosis of the patients with umbilical hernias must be correlated with the clinic, although these patients generally are asymptomatic and do not display any other complications besides from an esthetic defect. If the clinical diagnosis is very complicated, image studies may be required as an abdominal ultrasound, tomography or a magnetic resonance. The umbilical hernia treatment can be expectant, open surgery or laparoscopic surgery, depending on the characteristics of the affected patient or the umbilical hernia.