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Epigastric hernia repair (adult)
5-minute read
What is an epigastric hernia?
An epigastric hernia is a lump in the midline between your belly button and sternum (breastbone) which can cause pain.
Weak spots can develop in the wall of your belly (abdomen), causing fat or the contents of your abdomen to push through and form a lump. This lump is called a hernia.
The most common symptom is pain caused by the fat being pinched by your abdominal wall.
What are the benefits?
Surgery should prevent the serious complications that a hernia can cause, allowing you to return to normal activities. You may still have pain if it is caused by another problem.
Are there any alternatives?
The hernia can be left alone but pain caused by the hernia will usually continue and complications can happen. It will not get better without surgery.
What will happen if I decide not to have the procedure or the procedure is delayed?
An epigastric hernia is usually safe to leave alone. However, the hernia can get larger with time.
It can also be dangerous because structures within your abdomen can get trapped and have their blood supply cut off (strangulated hernia).
What does the procedure involve?
The procedure is usually performed under a general anaesthetic. However, different kinds of anaesthetic are possible.
The procedure usually takes about 30 minutes. Your surgeon will make a cut over the hernia and free up the ‘hernial sac’.
If only fat is pushing through, your surgeon will either remove the fat or push it back. If contents of your abdomen are also pushing through, they will place the contents back inside your abdomen.
Your surgeon will remove the hernial sac and close the weak spot with strong stitches or a synthetic mesh.
How can I prepare myself for the procedure?
If you smoke, stopping now may reduce your risk of developing complications and will improve your long-term health.
Try to maintain a healthy weight. You have a higher risk of developing complications if you are overweight.
Regular exercise should help to prepare you for the procedure, help you to recover and improve your long-term health. Do not do exercises that involve heavy lifting or make your hernia painful. Before you start exercising, ask the healthcare team or your GP for advice.
What complications can happen?
The healthcare team are trained to reduce the risk of complications.
Any risk rates given are taken from studies of people who have had this procedure. Your doctor may be able to tell you if the risk of a complication is higher or lower for you. Some risks are higher if you are older, you are obese, you smoke or you have other health problems. Health problems include diabetes, heart disease or lung disease.
Some complications may be serious and may even cause death.
General complications of any operation
- Bleeding during or after the procedure.
- Infection of the surgical site (wound).
- Allergic reaction to the equipment, materials or medication.
- Venous thromboembolism (VTE). This is a blood clot in your leg (deep-vein thrombosis, or DVT) or one that has moved to your lung (pulmonary embolus).
- Chest infection. Your risk is lower if you do not smoke or have stopped smoking, and have not had a recent cough or cold.
Specific complications of this operation
- Developing a collection of blood (haematoma) or fluid (seroma) under your wound.
- Injury to structures within your abdomen. This is rare but you may need another procedure.
- The hernia coming back. You may need another procedure.
Consequences of this procedure
- pain
- scarring of your skin
What happens after the procedure?
You should be able to go home the same day.
You should be able to return to work and normal activities after 2 to 4 weeks, depending on your recovery and the type of work you do.
Do not lift anything heavy for at least 6 weeks.
Regular exercise should help you to return to normal activities as soon as possible. Before you start exercising, ask the healthcare team or your GP for advice.
Most people make a full recovery and can return to normal activities.
Summary
An epigastric hernia is a common condition caused by a weakness in your abdominal wall between your belly button and sternum. If left untreated, an epigastric hernia can cause serious complications.
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