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Incarcerated umbilical hernia in children
1Service de Chirurgie Pédiatrique, Hôpital Delafontaine, Saint-Denis, France.
Insights
Incarcerated umbilical hernias (UH) in children are rarer than believed. A proactive surgical approach is recommended for all UH, not just cosmetic concerns, due to potential complications.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Gastroenterology
- Clinical Case Studies
Background:
- Umbilical hernias (UH) are common in infants.
- Complicated cases, such as incarceration, are considered rare in pediatric populations.
- Existing literature provides limited data on the incidence of complicated UH in children.
Observation:
- Four cases of incarcerated umbilical hernias (one strangulated) were treated over five years in Saint-Denis, France.
- A literature review identified only 45 reported cases of complicated UH in children globally.
- This suggests a higher frequency of UH incarceration than commonly perceived.
Findings:
- Incarceration of umbilical hernias in children, though considered rare, may occur more often than reported.
- Strangulation represents a severe complication of incarcerated umbilical hernias.
- The study highlights the need to reconsider the management of pediatric umbilical hernias.
Implications:
- A more active therapeutic strategy, including surgical intervention, is advised for pediatric umbilical hernias, even smaller ones.
- Early surgical management can prevent serious complications like incarceration and strangulation.
- This approach shifts focus beyond purely aesthetic considerations to prioritize patient safety and outcomes.
Abstract:
Over a period of 5 years, four cases of incarcerated (one strangulated) umbilical hernia (UH) in children were observed and treated in Saint-Denis, France. In a review of the literature, only 45 descriptions of complicated UHs in children were found worldwide. Incarceration of UHs is considered to be very rare in children, however, it appears to occur more frequently than it is generally believed. Therefore, a more active therapeutic approach is recommended even in smaller hernias, from more than an aesthetic point of view.