If an umbilical hernia is still present in children over two or three years of age it will probably not close by itself and surgery is needed. An incision is made in the skin crease under the belly button. The opening in the belly wall is closed and any extra skin is gathered up and stitched down. The stitches to close the incision are placed under the skin. They are made of an absorbable material and will dissolve after the incision has healed.
Most children go home the same day.
You will remove the bulky dressing two days after surgery. The strips will stay on the incision and eventually fall off after 7 to 10 days. Back to Pediatric Surgery Home Page Surgery Home Page Send mail to Surgery Webmaster with questions or comments about this Web site. VCU's Department of Surgery.