Epigastric Hernia Surgery

What is an Epigastric Hernia?

An epigastric hernia is a hernia that arises within the upper midline of the abdominal wall in the "linea alba". This type of hernia is rarely dangerous but often warrants repair because of discomfort, pain or enlargement.

What Causes An Epigastric Hernia?

The muscular abdominal wall is a work of artistic engineering. Despite this brilliant human anatomical design, there are areas of potential weakness. Hernias can develop between the intersecting fibers of the “Linea Alba” and over time they can enlarge.

How Serious is an Epigastric Hernia?

These hernias are rarely if ever dangerous and can usually be safely observed if not painful.

Symptoms of epigastric hernia include:

Upper midline abdominal protrusion between umbilicus and lower chest bone (xiphoid) that is focal in nature and usually less than 2 x 2 inches.
Pain or discomfort in the area of a protrusion in the upper mid abdomen.
Bloating or generalized abdominal discomfort after eating associated with a small bulge as above.

Do You Have to Repair an Epigastric Hernia?

It is not absolutely necessary to repair small epigastric hernias when they cause no symptoms. Certainly if they are the cause of discomfort or pain then surgery is very appropriate.

Epigastric hernia repair is a surgical procedure that reconstructs the hole in the abdominal wall with either sutures and/or a mesh material. It usually can be accomplished in an outpatient setting.

How do you Fix an Epigastric Hernia?

Epigastric hernia repair is a surgical procedure for the removal of an epigastric hernia that has been detected by a physician.

Repairing an epigastric hernia is an outpatient surgery and is one of the safest hernia repair techniques.

Given their typical small size of the defect (usually less than 2 cm) , they can be fixed through a small incision often without the use of synthetic mesh. The surgery is outpatient and can be performed in a surgery center.

How Long Does it Take to Recover from Epigastric Surgery?

Most people will experience some degree of pain or discomfort after the surgery that will delay returning to office-type work for a day or two.

Depending on the size of the hernia many can return to physical activities within weeks of the operation.

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