Umbilical hernia: symptoms, examination and treatment
An umbilical hernia is an opening in the abdominal wall at the navel. In small children it often closes by itself, while in adults it does not disappear spontaneously. Treatment depends on symptoms, size and your wider situation.
Written and medically reviewed by Bahir Hadi, specialist in surgery, PhD
What is an umbilical hernia?
An umbilical hernia sits in the navel itself or just above it. The abdominal wall is thin at that point, and a weakness can let the peritoneum bulge out. Umbilical hernias occur in both children and adults. 1
In children an umbilical hernia often closes on its own during the first years of life, so children are rarely referred for early surgery. 2
Typical symptoms
- A lump in or just above the navel, clearest on coughing and straining.
- In most adults no or mild symptoms, often mainly cosmetic.
- Some feel tenderness, mild pain or a crackling sensation on touch.
- The hernia sometimes cannot be pushed in even though it is not trapped. 1
Examination
The diagnosis is clinical. Imaging is rarely used for an umbilical hernia, and when it is needed an ultrasound scan is often enough. 3
Treatment and referral
In adults the choice depends on how much the hernia bothers you. Many are offered surgery in which the defect is closed, often with a mesh, because mesh lowers the risk of recurrence. Smoking, high alcohol intake and severe obesity increase the risk of the hernia coming back, so stopping smoking and losing weight are advised before planned surgery. 1
The risk of acute incarceration of an umbilical hernia in an adult is considered small, and in children it is very rare. That is an argument for taking the decision calmly. 1
Contact the clinic to clarify whether your referral belongs here.
Urgent signs
A hard, tender hernia that cannot be pushed back, together with vomiting, inability to pass gas, fever or rapidly increasing pain, needs urgent assessment. Call 112 if you are severely affected, otherwise 1813 in the Capital Region or the out-of-hours doctor the same day.
What you can do yourself
- Avoid hard straining on the toilet. See constipation.
- Prepare for any operation by stopping smoking and losing weight.
- Watch whether the lump grows or becomes more tender.
- See also abdominal wall hernia and incisional hernia.
Sources
Contact and appointments
Online booking is not available. Please call the clinic or ask your GP for a referral, so we can find the right appointment.
If you are in health insurance group 1 and have a valid referral from your GP, the examinations and treatments covered by the clinic's public health agreement are covered by the Danish public health insurance, so you pay nothing for them yourself. If you are in health insurance group 2, there is usually a small co-payment under the health insurance rules. If you are paying yourself, contact the clinic for a price.
Call the clinic
+45 39 64 01 25
Phone hours
Phone hours: Mon–Thu 09:00–12:00
Address
Hans Edvard Teglers Vej 9, 1st floor · 2920 Charlottenlund
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Contact information
- Hans Edvard Teglers Vej 9, 1st floor · 2920 Charlottenlund
- +45 39 64 01 25
- mail@kirurgen.dk
- Phone hours: Mon–Thu 09:00–12:00
For referring physicians
Provider number: 215430