An epigastric hernia is a lump in the midline between your belly button and sternum (breastbone) which can cause pain.
Your abdominal cavity contains your intestines and other structures. These are protected by your abdominal wall, which is made up of four layers.
In an epigastric hernia, fat pushes out through a weakness in the wall of your abdomen between your belly button and sternum and forms a lump. The most common symptom is pain caused by the fat being pinched by your abdominal wall.
What are the benefits of surgery?
Surgery can help to relieve pain that is caused by the hernia.
Are there any alternatives to surgery?
The hernia can be left alone but pain caused by the hernia will usually continue and complications can happen. It will not get better without surgery.
What does the operation involve?
The operation is usually performed under a general anaesthetic but various anaesthetic techniques are possible.
The operation usually takes about 30 minutes. We may make a cut over the hernia and free up the ‘hernial sac’.
If only fat is pushing through, we will either remove the fat or push it back. If contents of your abdomen are also pushing through, they will place the contents back inside your abdomen.
We will remove the hernial sac and close the weak spot with strong stitches or a synthetic mesh.
