Umbilical hernia natural history, complications and prognosis

Umbilical hernias are usually asymptomatic and resolve on their own. Common complications of umbilical hernia include strangulation, incarceration, skin color changes, and ascites.

The natural history, complications, and prognosis of umbilical hernia are as follows:^[1][2][3]

• Umbilical hernias are usually asymptomatic.
• Resolve on their own
• If umbilical hernia become incarcerated then the following symptoms develop in any decade of life:
  • Bilious emesis
  • Tenderness
  • Hard protruding mass
  • Thinning of the overlying skin
  • Ascites

• Common complications of umbilical hernia include:
  • Strangulation
  • Thinning of the overlying skin
  • Uncontrollable ascites
  • Incarceration

• Prognosis is generally excellent for patients with umbilical hernia.

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