Epigastric hernias often cause no symptoms, and they are often diagnosed as an incidental finding. Depending on the size of the hernial orifice and the swelling of the hernia, the symptoms they can trigger can vary considerably. If the hernia is filled with abdominal fluid (ascites), the symptoms can be similar to those of an incisional hernia, with marked swelling in some cases with thinning of the soft tissues over it, although this does not otherwise produce any other symptoms.
If, however, parts of organs from the abdominal cavity become trapped in it, such as a loop of bowel, this can impede intestinal transit, leading to an intestinal blockage (ileus) that requires emergency surgical treatment. In most cases, however, epigastric hernias cause only very non-specific symptoms such as occasional, local dragging or a stitch-like pain in the area of the fascia defect.

Essentially, just like the treatment of inguinal hernias, a distinction is made between repair methods with and without mesh and using open and laparoscopic approaches. The decision regarding the use of a mesh is made based on the size of the hernial orifice, whether or not the patient is overweight and other patient-specific risk factors. Where the fascia defect is small (< 1.5 cm) and there are no other risk factors, a suturing approach still remains a reliable surgical method even today. In this case, once the edges of the fascia are exposed, careful continuous suturing is performed using non-absorbable stitches. For larger fascia defects (> 1.5 cm) or for patients with a relevant risk profile, additional mesh reinforcement (= mesh augmentation) should be used.

This can be performed as an onlay, inlay, sublay, pre-peritoneal or from inside as an open or laparoscopic IPOM (Intra-Peritoneal Onlay Mesh-plasty). If mesh augmentation of the abdominal wall is indicated, we generally prefer to position the mesh outside of the abdominal cavity (extra-peritoneal). This prevents any complications associated with the mesh, such as adhesions between the mesh prosthesis and the abdominal organs. We believe the pre-peritoneal space, which lies in the layer between the peritoneum and the fascia of the abdominal wall, to be the "ideal" location.

In most cases, simple blunt pushing will create an adequately sized mesh bed, allowing the mesh to extend by at least 2-3 cm beyond the fascia defect. The mesh is then placed between the peritoneum, which continues to act as a natural protective barrier for the intestines, and the posterior abdominal wall fascia, and is only secured in position in places with single button sutures using absorbable suture material.

On top of this, the fascia defect is closed with continuous non-absorbable sutures (e.g. Prolene 2-0). By using large-pored, reduced-surface mesh prostheses, the amount of foreign body material implanted and therefore the body's reaction to foreign bodies can be reduced as much as possible. This surgical technique is known as Pre-peritoneal Epigastric Mesh Plasty, or "PEMP repair" for short.
    
PEMP repair - Pre-peritoneal Epigastric Mesh Plasty

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