Epigastric Hernia

This is a hernia which presents as a small lump in the midline, above the umbilicus. It may or may not be reducible and is sometimes associated with pain. At times it may be very painful due to the fatty content in the hernia sac being partially strangulated. The pain may mimic that of upper abdominal pathologies like gallbladder stones, gastritis and peptic ulcer. Hence a patient’s symptoms should not be ascribed only to the hernia but investigations to rule out other pathologies must be done, namely an abdominal ultrasound before offering the patient surgery.