What Is a Supraumbilical Hernia?

Some hernias in children close by themselves however, supraumbilical hernias do not close by themselves and need surgery.  These occur just above the naval. 

A small cut is made near the tummy button, and any fat or bowel within the hernia is carefully pushed back or removed. The weak area is then repaired, typically using strong stitches to close it up. In some cases, if the surrounding tissues aren’t strong enough to hold stitches or the weak area is too large, a synthetic material (mesh) may be used to reinforce the spot instead.

The synthetic patch is placed over the weak area and securely stitched to the surrounding healthy tissue. Over time, scar tissue forms above and below the patch, strengthening the area and reducing the chances of the hernia returning. This approach provides a durable repair for larger or more complex hernias.

This is a commonly offered procedure in the UK, and we’re proud to help facilitate them to our patients in Uganda.