Umbilical Hernia Surgery
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Specialist Umbilical Hernia Repair at The British Hernia Centre
Umbilical herniorrhaphy (umbilical hernia surgery) is the surgical repair of an umbilical hernia. These hernias develop when tissue pushes through a weakness in the abdominal wall near the belly button, creating a visible lump or swelling.
At The British Hernia Centre, umbilical hernia repair is performed by a dedicated hernia-only team with more than 37 years of specialist experience. Our surgeons have treated many tens of thousands of patients and continue to help shape modern approaches to hernia surgery through research, training and published studies.
What Is Umbilical Hernia Surgery?
The procedure involves returning the protruding tissue to its normal position and strengthening the weakened area of the abdominal wall.
Umbilical hernias do not improve on their own and often become larger over time. Early assessment can help avoid a more complex repair later and reduce the risk of complications.
Choosing the Right Repair Method
The most appropriate repair depends on the size of the hernia. Very small hernias can sometimes be repaired using sutures alone. Larger hernias often benefit from mesh reinforcement to provide a stronger and more durable repair.
Treatment recommendations are always tailored to the individual patient and the characteristics of the hernia.
Open Repair or Keyhole Surgery?
Both open and laparoscopic techniques can be effective in selected cases.
However, laparoscopic keyhole surgery requires a general anaesthetic and multiple incisions. Many patients undergoing umbilical hernia repair at The British Hernia Centre may be suitable for specialist open repair under local anaesthetic.
Your surgeon will discuss the most appropriate approach during consultation.
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How we've helped make a difference
Frequently Asked Questions
Most hernias around the world are repaired by general surgeons as just one of the list of procedures they perform. Hernia is not a subject that has attracted enough interest generally to make it a specialised area. The slow development of modern hernia techniques is a result. We feel that hernia needs specialisation.
See also, why a specialist hernia centre.
The easiest way to compare is to start with these simple questions. For example,
How many tens of thousands of hernia cases has your surgeon and his team performed? (Always ask that question) Is it done routinely under just local anaesthesia? Will you need overnight hospital admission at all? Will you be able to return to work and normal activities in the same amount of time? Are the risks of recurrence anything like the same? Do they have a 100% safety record and ZERO MRSA?
This depends upon a few variables. We repair just about every kind of hernia there is and we see patients who range from the peak of fitness and good health to really elderly and sometimes infirm patients. Some hernias are straight-forward, primary (first time) repairs, others are recurrences of repairs done elsewhere. Some are single, some are double hernias (or even more!) – and so forth. Typically the total costs are surprisingly affordable, but we need to know about the case to give an accurate guide. Try that form on the Contact Us Page. There is one for Abdominal Wall Hernia, another for Hiatus Hernia. That gives us the most important information about your case and we get back to you with our recommendations and a guide of the costs.
Not everything that is excellent is expensive and you may be very pleasantly surprised at how affordable it is.
Most certainly. Hernias need to be seen as early as possible and we would work around the clock to ensure we have no long waiting lists. Depending upon workload, we can see patients within days, commonly within two weeks and rarely more than 3 weeks after contacting us. For appointments, just call us. See the Contact Us page for everything you need.
Hernia surgery is no different to any other walk of life in this regard. If other operations are done better by people who specialise in that work, then hernia is no different. Expert opinion now recognises the importance of specialisation in hernia, not only by the surgeon, but the rest of the team and the unit where the work is done.
Our own results have been improved on because of our experience with so many cases each year. We started off with excellent results, but by doing tens of thousands of hernias, even they were dramatically improved upon. See Value of Specialisation.
Not many of them really do, but if your local hospital really does do the same operation – and by a dedicated, highly experienced team specialising in hernia who are achieving – and publishing – the same results, you can use either of us. Not all hernia operations are the same, unfortunately, nor are the outcomes, so choose wisely.
The next Question will help you…
Local Anaesthetic Umbilical Hernia Surgery
The British Hernia Centre has published research on tension-free mesh repair of umbilical hernias performed as a day-case procedure under local anaesthetic. For suitable patients, this approach may offer several advantages, including:
- No general anaesthetic
- Home on the same day
- Early mobilisation after surgery
Why Choose The British Hernia Centre?
Established in 1989, The British Hernia Centre was the UK's first specialist hernia centre and remains dedicated exclusively to hernia diagnosis and treatment. Patients benefit from:
- More than 37 years of specialist experience
- A dedicated hernia-only team
- Published academic research
- Expertise in local anaesthetic techniques
- Treatment tailored to the individual patient
If you have an umbilical hernia or have been advised to consider surgery, contact The British Hernia Centre to arrange a specialist consultation and discuss your treatment options.