Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2023 May-Jun;28(3):212-217.
doi: 10.4103/jiaps.jiaps_115_22. Epub 2023 May 2.

Management of Umbilical Hernia in African Children: The Experience of 2146 Cases

Gabriel Ngom  1 , Florent Tshibwid A Zeng  1 , Aloise Sagna  1 , Doudou Gueye  1 , Ndeye Aby Ndoye  1 , Papa Alassane Mbaye  1 , Cheikh Ndiaye  1 , Mbaye Fall  2 , Oumar Ndour  2
Affiliations

Management of Umbilical Hernia in African Children: The Experience of 2146 Cases

Gabriel Ngom et al. J Indian Assoc Pediatr Surg. 2023 May-Jun.

Abstract

Aims: Umbilical hernia (UH) is common in African and African-descent children. In high-income countries (HICs), it is considered benign, which is not the case in Sub-Saharan ones. Through this study, we aimed to share our experience.

Materials and methods: A descriptive review was conducted from January 01, 2012 to December 31, 2017 at Albert Royer National Children's Hospital Center. Among the 2499 patients, 2146 cases were included in the review.

Results: UH had a frequency of 6.5%, with patients having a mean age of 2.6 years, with a male preponderance of 63%. Emergency consultation occurred in 37.1%. The symptomatic hernia was present in 90.9%. The congenital type was found in 96%, a history of painful episodes was reported in 46%, and medical and surgical comorbidities were found in 30.1% and 16.4%, respectively. Multimodal anesthesia was used in 93.1%. A lower umbilical crease incision was made in 83.2%, the sac was not empty in 16.3%, and additional umbilicoplasty was performed in 16.3%. During a 14-month follow-up, a complication occurred in 6.5% and mortality in 0.05%.

Conclusion: In our region, the pediatric UH was predominantly symptomatic, with its natural evolution leading to more complications than in HICs. Its management carried acceptable morbidity.

Keywords: African; Senegal; children; management; umbilical hernia.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Patients’ age
Figure 2
Figure 2
Patients’ repartition according to the fascial defect's size
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Brandt ML. Pediatric hernias. Surg Clin North Am. 2008;88:27. - PubMed
    1. Sujka JA, Holcomb GW. Umbilical and other abdominal wall hernias. In: Holcomb GW, Murphy JP, St. Peter SD, editors. Holcomb and Aschcraft's Pediatric Surgery. 7th ed. Edinburgh, London, New York, Oxford, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Sydney: Elsevier; 2020. pp. 780–2.
    1. Keshtgar AS, Griffiths M. Incarceration of umbilical hernia in children: Is the trend increasing? Eur J Pediatr Surg. 2003;13:40–3. - PubMed
    1. Ameh EA. Incarceration of umbilical hernia in children: Is the trend increasing? Eur J Pediatr Surg. 2004;14:218. - PubMed
    1. Meier DE, OlaOlorun DA, Omodele RA, Nkor SK, Tarpley JL. Incidence of umbilical hernia in African children: Redefinition of “normal” and reevaluation of indications for repair. World J Surg. 2001;25:645–8. - PubMed