Spontaneous Healing of Umbilical Hernias

Abstract

The progress of umbilical hernias left untaped was observed over a 10-year period in 118 of 147 outpatient premature infants. Spontaneous healing was the rule regardless of the size of the fascial defect or protuberance. In the 29 hernias that had to be taped to assuage parental anxiety, healing was less frequent. It is concluded that taping umbilical hernias in infancy to effect healing has no advantage over leaving them untaped.