How is umbilical hernia repair surgery done in children?
Your child will be asleep during the surgery. To do the surgery, the doctor makes a small cut near the belly button. This cut is called an incision. Then the doctor pushes the hernia back inside the belly. Next, the doctor uses stitches to fix the weak spot in the belly muscles. Then the doctor closes the belly incision with more stitches or with glue. These stitches don’t need to be removed. They will dissolve in several weeks. After surgery, your child will have a small scar on the belly. It will fade with time.
Umbilical hernia repair surgery: When to call
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- You passed out (lost consciousness).
- You have severe trouble breathing.
- You have symptoms of a blood clot in your lung (called a pulmonary embolism). These may include:
- Sudden chest pain.
- Trouble breathing.
- Coughing up blood.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You have pain that does not get better after you take pain medicine.
- You cannot pass stool or gas.
- You have loose stitches, or your incision comes open.
- You are bleeding from the incision.
- You have signs of a blood clot, such as pain in your calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin.
- You have signs of infection, such as:
- Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
- Red streaks leading from the incision.
- Pus draining from the incision.
- A fever.
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- You do not have a bowel movement within several days after the surgery.
- You do not get better as expected.
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