What is umbilical retraction (navel pulling)?

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From the Guidelines

Umbilical retraction, also known as navel pulling, is not a widely recognized medical term, but it can be associated with umbilical hernia, which is a condition where part of the intestine or other tissue bulges through an opening in the abdominal wall near the navel. The management of umbilical hernia is crucial, especially in patients with ascites, as it can lead to complications such as ulceration, incarceration, strangulation, and rupture 1. In terms of treatment, surgical repair of umbilical hernia should be considered in discussion with the patient and a multidisciplinary team involving physicians, surgeons, and anesthetists 1. Some key points to consider in the management of umbilical hernia include:

  • The incidence of abdominal wall hernia in cirrhotic patients is 16% and reaches 24% in the presence of ascites, with more than half being umbilical hernias 1
  • Non-operative management of complicated hernias can result in high mortality rates, ranging from 60-88% 1
  • Hernia repair in cirrhosis can be associated with high postoperative morbidity and mortality, especially in emergency situations or in patients with advanced liver disease 1
  • Optimizing management of ascites, including large volume paracentesis (LVP) and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPSS) perioperatively, can reduce the risk of wound dehiscence and recurrence of hernia 1

From the Research

Definition and Explanation

  • Umbilical retraction, also known as navel pulling, is not directly defined in the provided studies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
  • However, the studies discuss umbilical hernias, which may be related to the concept of umbilical retraction.
  • Umbilical hernias occur when part of the intestine or other tissue bulges through an opening in the abdominal wall near the navel 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

Related Concepts

  • Umbilical hernia repair is a common surgical procedure, and various approaches are discussed in the studies, including open, laparoscopic, and robotic options 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
  • The use of mesh reinforcement is recommended to decrease recurrence rates, even in small hernias 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
  • Complications such as large seromas, surgical site infection, and recurrence are discussed in the studies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

Key Findings

  • The studies emphasize the importance of tailored treatment options for umbilical hernias, taking into account the size of the hernia and the patient's overall health 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
  • Mesh implantation is recommended for larger and borderline-sized hernias to reduce the risk of recurrence 5.
  • The choice of surgical method depends on the size of the hernial sac and fascial defect, as well as the patient's individual characteristics 5, 6.

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Research

Umbilical Hernia Repair: Overview of Approaches and Review of Literature.

The Surgical clinics of North America, 2018

Research

Umbilical and epigastric hernia repair.

The Surgical clinics of North America, 2003

Research

Early complications in surgery of umbilical and epigastric hernias.

Rozhledy v chirurgii : mesicnik Ceskoslovenske chirurgicke spolecnosti, 2020

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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