Abstract
Ascites is the most common complication in patients with liver cirrhosis. Umbilical hernias (HU) occur in 20% of these patients and 40% in those with severe ascites. HU occurs due to increased intra-abdominal pressure, weakening of the abdominal fascia and loss of muscle mass. In addition, they have a tendency to enlarge rapidly and present high risk of complications that threaten the patient’s life. The treatment of the uncomplicated HU is controversial, both the surgical management (herniorrhaphy) and the conservative management (control of ascites) present high rate of complications, consequently high morbidity and mortality. Currently, umbilical herniorrhaphy is recommended with prior control of ascites in uncomplicated HU management, it reduces the risk of surgical wound infection, evisceration, ascites drainage, peritonitis, and it reduces up to 41% of HU recurrence. The success of this approach also depends on the degree of liver dysfunction. The treatment of complicated HU is surgical (herniorrhaphy without mesh), with lower mortality rate compared to conservative management. Studies reveal advantages of umbilical herniorrhaphy laparoscopy (minimally invasive and stress-free) compared to open surgery; however there is still no evidence about it.
