Should I Have My Sons Epigastic Hernia Repaired?

This page volition give y'all data about an epigastric hernia repair. If you have any questions, you should enquire your GP or other relevant wellness professional person.

What is an epigastric hernia?

An epigastric hernia is a lump in the midline betwixt your belly push button and sternum (breastbone) which can crusade pain.

Your abdominal cavity contains your intestines and other structures. These are protected by your intestinal wall, which is made upwards of four layers.

In an epigastric hernia, fat pushes out through a weakness in the wall of your abdomen betwixt your abdomen push and sternum and forms a lump. The most common symptom is pain acquired by the fat being pinched past your abdominal wall.

Illustration showing an epigastric hernia repair (adult). — An epigastric hernia repair (adult).

What are the benefits of surgery?

Surgery can help to salvage pain that is caused by the hernia.

Are there any alternatives to surgery?

The hernia tin can exist left lonely but hurting acquired past the hernia will usually continue and complications can happen. It will non get meliorate without surgery.

What does the operation involve?

The operation is normally performed under a general anaesthetic only diverse anaesthetic techniques are possible.

The performance usually takes well-nigh xxx minutes. Your surgeon volition make a cut over the hernia and costless up the 'hernial sac'.

If only fatty is pushing through, your surgeon will either remove the fatty or push it dorsum. If contents of your abdomen are too pushing through, they will place the contents dorsum inside your belly.

Your surgeon volition remove the hernial sac and close the weak spot with strong stitches or a synthetic mesh.

What complications tin happen?

Some complications can exist serious and tin can even cause death.

General complications of any operation

pain
bleeding
infection of the surgical site (wound)
allergic reaction to the equipment, materials or medication
cruddy scarring of your skin
blood clot in your leg
claret clot in your lung

Specific complications of this performance

developing a collection of blood (haematoma) or fluid (seroma) under your wound
injury to structures within your abdomen

How presently will I recover?

You should be able to become habitation the same day.

You should be able to return to work after 1 to 2 weeks, depending on how much surgery you need and your type of work.

Practise not lift anything heavy for at to the lowest degree six weeks.

Regular exercise should help you to return to normal activities as shortly as possible. Before you start exercising, ask the healthcare squad or your GP for advice.

Most people make a total recovery and tin return to normal activities. The hernia can come back many years later on and you may need another operation.

Summary

An epigastric hernia is a common status caused past a weakness in your intestinal wall between your belly button and sternum. If left untreated, an epigastric hernia can crusade serious complications.

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