The abdominal wall hernia, incisional hernia

Epigastric hernia

Abdominal wall hernia: the area of the anterior abdominal wall that lies between the navel and the breastbone is called the epigastrium, which means 'located over the stomach'. Epigastric hernias are fascia defects of the anterior abdominal wall that occur precisely in the midline, the Linea alba, between the two straight abdominal muscles (rectus muscles).
They can be congenital, but generally tend to develop only later in life. This gap in the abdominal wall allows parts of the pre-peritoneal fatty tissue or peritoneum to slip through in the form of a hernial sac, into which intestines and parts of organs can enter from inside the abdomen.

Incisional hernia

An incisional hernia is a defect in the anterior abdominal wall arising after a previous procedure, i.e. secondary to an intervention involving the abdomen. As a result, it is located in the area of the previous incision scar.
Almost one in five patients may develop this type of hernia with bulging after a procedure involving the abdomen. Incisional hernias are therefore one of the most common complications of abdominal surgery. Up to 50,000 patients undergo surgery for their incisional hernia every year in Germany.

Umbilical hernia

Umbilical hernias commonly often occur directly after birth during infancy and are the result of the abdominal wall around the navel not developing completely. This gap in the abdominal wall allows intestines and parts of organs from inside the abdomen to enter the hernial sac.
Umbilical hernias are common in babies. They usually resolve without problems and do not require any treatment. During the first 2 years of life, they often spontaneously resolve as the increased abdominal muscle mass closes the gap.