Incarcerated Umbilical Hernia Treated With Adhesive Strapping in a Three-Month-Old Infant

An umbilical hernia (UH) is a common condition in early childhood; it is defined as the protrusion of abdominal viscera through a defect in the umbilical ring. Since most UHs close spontaneously, almost no active treatment has been performed. Adhesive strapping (AS) for early UH closure is an easy-to-perform and relatively safe treatment. However, it can present rare but serious complications. Herein, we report a case of a three-month-old infant with incarcerated UH during AS therapy. AS treatment for UH, which has been reported mainly in Japan, has shown excellent results in observational studies and could be widely applied globally. However, our case demonstrated the presence of a noteworthy complication; incarcerated UH, in addition to skin complications, such as cellulitis and skin ulcer-related perforation, was associated with AS. To minimize the occurrence of these complications associated with AS treatment for UH, it is crucial to adequately explain and guide the family members regarding the proper management of AS and seeking medical care promptly when abnormalities occur during AS.