An epigastric hernia is a type of hernia

Hernia

A hernia is the protrusion of an organ or the fascia of an organ through the wall of the cavity that normally contains it. A hiatal hernia occurs when the stomach protrudes into the mediastinum through the esophageal opening in the diaphragm....

 which may develop in the epigastrium

Epigastrium

The epigastrium is the upper central region of the abdomen. It is located between the costal margins and the subcostal plane....

 (upper, central part of the abdomen

Abdomen

In vertebrates such as mammals the abdomen constitutes the part of the body between the thorax and pelvis. The region enclosed by the abdomen is termed the abdominal cavity...

). Epigastric hernias usually appear in adults.

Unlike the benign diastasis recti

Diastasis recti

Diastasis recti is a disorder defined as a separation of the rectus abdominis muscle into right and left halves. Normally, the two sides of the muscle are joined at the linea alba at the body midline...

, epigastric hernia may trap fat and other tissues inside the opening of the hernia, causing pain and tissue damage.

Treatment

Symptomatic epigastric hernias are repaired with surgery. Even if they are asymptomatic, they can be surgically corrected for cosmetic reasons. In general, cosmetic surgery on infants is delayed until the infant is older and better able to tolerate anaesthesia.