Prevalence of Cholelithiasis in Patients Presenting with Umbilical Hernia, and Vice Versa: Prospective Multicenter Cross-sectional Study

Umbilical hernia and cholelithiasis are quite common in general surgical practice. The coexistence of cholelithiasis and umbilical hernia has been previously reported in the literature. However, most of the publications on this subject are retrospective series, and the prevalence of cholelithiasis in patients with umbilical hernia and the risk factors of umbilical hernia in patients with cholelithiasis have not been investigated prospectively to date. This study aims to fill this gap by providing prospective data on the prevalence and risk factors associated with the coexistence of these conditions.

Researchers aim to determine the exact prevalence and risk factors for the association of gallstones and umbilical hernia. Umbilical hernia is defined according to the European Hernia Society Classification for primary and incisional abdominal wall hernias as hernias occurring from 3 cm above to 3 cm below the umbilicus. The main outcome measures are the presence of gallstones in patients presenting with umbilical hernia and the presence of umbilical hernia in patients diagnosed with gallstones. Patients with umbilical hernia are examined with biliary ultrasound, while patients with cholelithiasis are evaluated for umbilical hernia by physical examination and ultrasound. Factors such as age, gender, body mass index (BMI), family history, comorbidities, tobacco use, parity, and history of multiple pregnancy are analyzed as potential risk factors.