Can a hernia be repaired without surgery?

Most hernias are not able to be repaired without surgery, according to NYU Langone Medical Center. Some umbilical hernias in babies self-correct within four years, WebMD states. Without surgery, the blood supply of the herniated organ often is cut off, or strangulated, which leads to infection and tissue death.

If the strangulated hernia is in the intestines, a blockage occurs and the abdomen swells, explains WebMD. The subsequent infection sometimes causes gangrene, intestinal perforation, shock or death. A truss, which consists of a belt with a pad to hold the hernia in place, should only be used as a temporary solution until surgery is performed.