Epigastric Hernia Surgery in Brownsville, TX

Much like umbilical hernias, epigastric hernias tend to be present at the time of birth. While an umbilical hernia usually occurs around the belly button, an epigastric hernia forms anywhere above the belly button and the chest.

Dr. Carlos Barba provides state-of-the-art, minimally invasive treatment options for epigastric hernias. With general surgery centers in Harlingen and Brownsville , TX, Dr. Barba is south Texas’ leader in hernia repair and general surgery. To learn more about your treatment options, please call (956) 621-4981 or request an appointment through our secure online form.

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What Are the Symptoms of an Epigastric Hernia?

Most epigastric hernias are diagnosed in adults, despite it being an issue typically formed in childhood. Most of the time, the issue is small enough that only the abdominal lining pushes through the muscle wall. Common symptoms of an epigastric hernia include:

• A bulge in the abdomen between the belly button and chest.
• Discomfort when bending or lifting.
• Abdominal pain.
• Discoloration above the bulge. Most often a black and blue appearance.

Occasionally, an epigastric hernia may cause tissue to become stuck in the “out” position. This can cause the tissue to become strangulated and lose blood supply to that area. This is considered an emergency and should be treated immediately.

What Causes an Epigastric Hernia?

An epigastric hernia is most often caused by an inborn defect in the connective muscular tissue in the abdomen. This causes this area to be weaker and more prone to tears. Other possible causes include:

• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Lifting items that are too heavy
• Straining when coughing or having a bowel movement.

How is an Epigastric Hernia Treated?

In children, an epigastric hernia will not heal by itself and will require surgery in order to be fixed. If the doctor believes that the hernia is unlikely to become an emergency, surgery can be delayed until the child is older.

In adults, the issue may not have become apparent to the patient until later in life since the condition has the potential to worsen over time. Surgical repair only becomes necessary when the issue is causing pain or could potentially become strangulated.

During the surgery, Dr. Barba will make an incision in the stomach area near the hernia and put the protruding tissue back into place. Then the hole in the muscle tissue will be sewn back together and may be reinforced with a mesh material.

The patient’s activity will be limited for the first two weeks following the surgery, but full activity can typically resume after about a month and a half.