How does cirrhosis of the liver cause an umbilical hernia?

Be careful: What may appear to be an 'umbilical hernia' in the setting of cirrhosis could actually be a patent umbilical vein due to portal hypertension. This should not be operated on. A skilled surgeon would be able to tell the difference.

Anatomy: There is no correlation or connection between these two separate medical conditions.

It doesn't: Cause a umbilical hernia. The increased abdominal pressure from the ascites due to the cirrhosis can increase the intra-abdominal pressure which if there is a defect umbilically not previously discovered can cause a hernia to become detected.

Related: Cirrhosis of liver doesn't cause an umbilical hernia but accumulation of fluid in the abdomen known as ascites due to cirrhosis can place enough pressure on the area of umbilicus where umbilical cord came through in infancy to open up the tissue canal enough that hernia results. Drainage of the ascites fluid can occur sometimes. Best treatment is treat the ascites as surgical repair indicated.