Complications
Surgical repair is a sterile technique; infection is rare.
Postoperative bleeding can be troublesome and may lead to a hematoma. With appropriate attention to hemostasis intraoperatively, this complication is rare.
Wound infection predisposes to hernia recurrence, though this is uncommon.
Incarceration occurs if intra-abdominal contents (e.g., abdominal viscera or omentum) become trapped in the protruding hernia sac. This is termed "strangulation" if the blood supply to the bowel is compromised, causing ischemia.[2] Discomfort or a tender umbilical mass in an individual with an unrepaired umbilical hernia is concerning for incarceration, with or without strangulation. Symptoms of bowel obstruction include vomiting, abdominal pain, and constipation. Incarceration is very rare, though some studies suggest that incarceration occurs more frequently than is generally believed.[14][15]
A rare but serious, life-threatening complication of surgery that can lead to septicemia and death.
Rupture and evisceration of an unrepaired hernia is extremely rare, but has been reported.[16]
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