Duration of surgery and sick leave

An umbilical hernia operation (umbilical hernia surgery) is always a medical emergency if the umbilical hernia starts to hurt or if bluish discoloration occurs. In this case, the constricted intestinal contents are at risk of dying off, which can then lead to a life-threatening state of shock. The costs of an umbilical hernia operation are now covered by the statutory health insurance companies.

However, some health insurance companies may charge additional fees, especially if it is not an emergency operation. The costs of a simple operation amount to 64.70 €. An outpatient operation costs around 75 €, depending on the doctor performing the operation. The anesthesia amounts to about 30€, with an ambulant anesthesia an additional 5€ is added to the 30€. Thus, an in-patient operation including anesthesia costs just under 100€, an out-patient operation with an out-patient anesthesia costs 110€.

Surgery for children

An umbilical hernia (Narbelhernie) is caused by a weakness in the connective tissue connection between the abdominal muscles. About 3% of all children develop an umbilical hernia during childhood. In premature infants the probability increases to almost 75%.

Especially if the child cries or presses the abdomen strongly, a bulge in the area of the abdomen can be seen. Until the child reaches the age of three, the umbilical hernia very often recedes. Therefore, umbilical hernia in children is rarely operated on.

Insecure parents may try to push the contents of the intestine back into the child’s stomach. As long as the umbilical hernia can be pushed back into the abdomen without any problems and as long as the child does not feel strong pain, there is no indication for surgery. However, if the child is in severe pain, vomits or feels nauseous, he or she should go to the emergency room to have the umbilical hernia operated, otherwise the affected intestinal area may die.

Also children who still have an umbilical hernia after the age of three years should think about an operation. Basically, the operation is similar to the operation for adults. The abdominal wall is opened, the intestinal loop is placed in the right place and the surgical incision is sutured. The insertion of a net is usually not necessary in children. The operation can be performed on an outpatient basis, just like with adults.