{{Infobox medical condition |name = |synonym = |image =Epigastric hernia.jpg |image_size = |alt = |caption = [[Abdominal ultrasound]] of a midline epigastric hernia. |pronounce = |specialty =general surgery |symptoms = |complications = |onset = |duration = |types = |causes = |risks = |diagnosis = |differential = |prevention = |treatment = |medication = |prognosis = |frequency = |deaths = }}
An '''epigastric hernia''' is a type of [[hernia]] that causes fat to push through a weakened area in the walls of the abdomen. It may develop in the [[epigastrium]] (upper, central part of the [[abdomen]]). Epigastric hernias are more common in adults and usually appear above the umbilical region of the abdomen. It is a common condition that is usually asymptomatic although sometimes their unusual clinical presentation can present a diagnostic dilemma for the clinician. Unlike the benign [[diastasis recti]], epigastric hernia may trap fat and other tissues inside the opening of the hernia, causing pain and tissue damage.<ref name="Norton">{{cite book |author=Norton, Jeffrey A. |title=Essential practice of surgery: basic science and clinical evidence |url=https://archive.org/details/essentialpractic00nort |url-access=limited |publisher=Springer |location=Berlin |year=2003 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/essentialpractic00nort/page/n374 350] |isbn=0-387-95510-0 }}</ref> It is usually present at birth and may appear and disappear only when the patient is doing an activity that creates abdominal pressure, pushing to have bowel movements, or crying.
== Symptoms ==
* Pain * tenderness<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318541.php|title=Epigastric hernia: Causes, repair, and recovery|website=Medical News Today|date=23 July 2017 |language=en|access-date=2019-05-14}}</ref> *redness *Impulse on cough == Causes ==
* [[Obesity]] * [[Pregnancy]].<ref name="Norton" /> * Frequent heavy lifting * Genetic defects * Aging * Severe vomiting
==Diagnosis== [[CT scan|Computed tomography scans]] of the suspected areas with [[contrast medium|intravenous contrast]] can assist in diagnosis.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Toms |first1=A. P. |last2=Dixon |first2=A. K. |last3=Murphy |first3=J. M. |last4=Jamieson |first4=N. V. |date=October 1999 |title=Illustrated review of new imaging techniques in the diagnosis of abdominal wall hernias |journal=The British Journal of Surgery |volume=86 |issue=10 |pages=1243–1249 |doi=10.1046/j.1365-2168.1999.01211.x |issn=0007-1323 |pmid=10540124|s2cid=43879390 |doi-access=free }}</ref> Doctors are also able to identify whether it is a suspected hernia by palpating the affected area.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uofmhealth.org/conditions-treatments/abdominal-wall-hernias|title=Abdominal Wall Hernias {{!}} Michigan Medicine|website=www.uofmhealth.org|access-date=2019-05-14}}</ref>
Ultrasonography is also used for diagnostic purposes.{{citation needed|date=October 2019}}
==Treatment== Symptomatic epigastric hernias are repaired with surgery.<ref name=Norton/> Even if they are asymptomatic, they can be surgically corrected for cosmetic reasons. In general, cosmetic surgery on infants is delayed until the infant is older and better able to tolerate [[Anaesthesia|anesthesia]]. If the size of the hernia is greater than 4 cm, then a hernioplasty or herniorrhaphy surgery is required.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Sallam|first1=Raouf Mahmoud|last2=El-sayed|first2=Ahmed Mohamed|last3=Abdou|first3=Abdou Mahmoud|date=2018-10-05|title=Comparative Study between Drained and Drainless Sub-rectal Mesh Hernioplasty in Paraumbilical Hernia|journal=Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine|volume=73|issue=4|pages=6417–6422|doi=10.21608/ejhm.2018.15103 |doi-access=free}}</ref>
==Prognosis == Epigastric hernia becomes a problem when the hernia becomes incarcerated or loses blood supply to that area. This can be life-threatening.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
==See also== *[[Diastasis recti]]
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Epigastric Hernia}} [[Category:Hernias]]