Umbilical hernia repair in Vienna

An umbilical hernia is a bulge at the navel caused by a weak spot in the abdominal wall. I repair umbilical hernias through a small incision hidden in the navel – with little pain and a scar that is barely visible.

What is an umbilical hernia?

An umbilical hernia develops when the abdominal wall at the navel is weakened. Fatty tissue or parts of the bowel can push through the gap and form a bulge. Umbilical hernias often appear after pregnancy or with excess weight, and they are frequently combined with a separation of the abdominal muscles (diastasis recti).

Symptoms

• A soft bulge at or just above the navel
• Pressure, pulling or pain – especially when coughing, lifting or straining
• Even small umbilical hernias can cause discomfort

Like every hernia, an umbilical hernia does not heal on its own. If the bowel becomes trapped, emergency surgery is needed – a planned repair avoids this risk.

Umbilical hernia repair: my technique

• In most cases a small incision hidden in the fold of the navel – the scar is barely visible afterwards
• Small hernias are closed with sutures
• Larger hernias, or patients with excess weight, are reinforced with a synthetic mesh for a durable result
• This open approach causes less pain and smaller scars than a laparoscopic operation for most umbilical hernias

If you have both an umbilical hernia and an inguinal hernia, both can usually be repaired in one operation.

After your operation

Many patients go home on the day of surgery. Pain is usually moderate and short-lived. You will see me again for a wound check and follow-up in my practice, where I give you clear advice on exercise and lifting.

Priv. Doz. Dr. Emanuel Sporn – specialist in general, visceral and vascular surgery, international specialist in hernia surgery, Vienna.