Complicated umbilical hernia in children: An experience in a tertiary hospital in Enugu, Nigeria

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the demographic characteristics, presentation, treatment and management outcome of patients that presented with complicated umbilical hernia.MethodologyThis was a retrospective study of children that had complicated umbilical hernia and were managed at the paediatric surgery unit of Enugu State University Hospital (ESUTH) Enugu, Nigeria, over a 10‐year period.ResultsThere were 21 cases of complicated umbilical hernia recorded over the study period. These complications were in the form of incarceration, obstruction or strangulation. There were 15 males (71.4%) and 6 females (28.6%), with a male to female ratio of 2.5:1. The median age of the patients was 48 months (range: 12‐168). The median duration of symptoms prior to presentation to the hospital was 2 days (range: 1‐3) and the median duration of hospital stay was 5 days (range: 3‐10 days). Abdominal pain was the predominant presenting symptom in the patients (81%) and omentum was the most common content of the hernia sac (57.2%). Post‐operative complications included surgical site infection (9.5%), wound dehiscence (4.8%) and hypertrophied scar (9.5%). There was no mortality.ConclusionComplications arising from umbilical hernias are rare events. However, there is need for early treatment when complications occur.