Epigastric Hernia

Epigastric hernias are composed usually of fatty tissue and rarely contain intestine. Formed in an area of relative weakness, gap or opening in the muscles or tendons of the abdominal wall.

They appear on a line between the breast bone and the navel or umbilicus and results in a bulge of intra-abdominal contents and/or pain or discomfort. This pain and discomfort is the result of nerves and tissue in this area being irritated or stretched as the surrounding tissue is also stretched.

If these hernias enlarge, intestine may become trapped within the hernia leading to intestinal blockage or damage through strangulation or incarceration. This is considered a surgical emergency.

Men are about three times more likely to have an epigastric hernia than women, and the majority occur in people aged between 20 years of age and 50 years of age. This hernia type is easily repaired and usually as a day case.