TITLE:
Umbilical Hernia in Children at the Paediatric Surgery Department of the Jeanne Ebori Mother and Child University Hospital Centre
AUTHORS:
Natacha Boumas, Sharon Bantsantsa, Hubert Nzue Nguéma, Marcelle Abegue, Antonio Sartorio, Mélina Nkole Aboughe, Daria Mindze, Rony Bibang, Lustaire Tsague, Francois Ondo Ndong
KEYWORDS:
Umbilical Hernia, Child, Closure of the Aponeurosis, Libreville
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.15 No.6,
November
7,
2025
ABSTRACT: Introduction: This is a common condition in paediatric practice, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Diagnosis is essentially clinical. The aim of the study was to investigate the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of umbilical hernia in children. Methodology: This was a retrospective and descriptive study conducted paediatric surgery department of the Jeanne Ebori Mother and Child University Hospital Centre over a period of 30 months. The study included the records of patients aged between 0 and 15 years who had undergone surgery for congenital umbilical hernia. Epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic and evolutionary data were studied. Results: 137 records were collated. Umbilical hernia accounted for 8% of surgical activity. The average age was 3 years ± 3.24 [0 - 15 years] with a predominance of males (sex ratio = 1.5). Prematurity was found in 5.1% of cases. Umbilical swelling was the reason for consultation in 54.3% of cases. The mode of admission was elective surgery in 96.4% of cases. Strangulation and hernial incarcerated accounted for 5% of cases. A pathology was associated in 41.6% of cases. Persistence of the peritoneovaginal canal or Nück’s canal was found in 89.4% of cases. The average time for treatment for an umbilical hernia was 3 years [17 days to 15 years]. In cases of strangulated umbilical hernia, the delay was less than 24 hours. Paraumbilical block was performed in 23.4% of cases. The surgical technique used was closure of the aponeurosis in all patients, with a subumbilical incision in 55.5% of cases. The average diameter of the hernia neck was 2 cm ± 1.3 [0.5 - 8 cm]. Umbilical plasty was performed in 5.1% of cases. The average length of hospital stay was 2 days ± 1. The postoperative course was uneventful in all cases. Conclusion: Umbilical hernia is a common condition in male infants. The closure of aponeurosis is the method of choice for effective management. Umbilical plasty is combined with larger hernias.