• What is a hernia?

  A hernia is the bulging of a portion of an organ through an abnormal opening. The danger from herniation arises when the organ protruding through the opening is constricted to the extent that circulation is stopped or when the protruding organ impairs the function of other structures.

• What is an inguinal hernia?

  Inguinal hernias account for about 80% of all hernias and are the most common surgical procedures done in small children. These hernias in children appear more frequently in boys than in girls. In the developing baby, the testes develop inside the belly near the kidney. The testes drop down to scrotum in 8-9 months of pregnancy. An inguinal hernia is derived from persistence of all or part of the processus vaginalis, the tube of peritoneum that precedes the testicle into the scrotum. Following the dropping of the testicles into the scrotum, the processus vaginalis closes forming the tunica vaginalis that lies below the testicles in the scrotum. When this fails to happen, fluid from the abdomen or an abdominal organ (usually the intestines) can be forced into it causing a bulging or mass that can be felt.

• How is an inguinal hernia diagnosed in a child?

  Classically, inguinal hernia does not have symptoms other than a groin or a scrotal swelling which appears when abdominal organs are forced into the sac such as when a baby is crying or straining or when an older child coughs, strains or stands for a long time. If the bulging can be gently pressed back into the abdomen, the hernia is known as reducible. If a loop of the intestine is forced into the sac and does not go back, the hernia is then known as incarcerated (irreducible). An infant or a child with irreducible hernia will show signs of irritability, loss of appetite, tenderness and swelling of the abdomen or have trouble having a bowel movement. With incarceration, the intestines have entered the sac and are being strangled. This portion of the intestines could die. This is life-threatening and child should be immediately taken to the emergency services. Hernia in a child can be best diagnosed and treated by an expert pediatric urologist surgeon on a clinical examination.

• How is hernia treated in a child?

  Inguinal hernias in children require a repair surgery called Herniotomy. This can be done by conventional open approach or by laparoscopic surgery means. Hernia Surgery in a child is done under a short general anesthesia. This is mostly a Day Care Surgery whereby the child is admitted in the morning and discharged in the evening. All the stitches are absorbable and need not be removed.

• Can inguinal hernia in a child be repaired laparoscopically?

  Yes, Laparoscopic hernia repair surgery can be done easily even in small kids by top pediatric urologist surgeons who are trained in doing surgeries for children. For this purpose, we use 3-5mm small equipment and telescope. We generally offer laparoscopic hernia repair for children in selected circumstances only after a detailed discussion with the family. Straightforward indications of Laparoscopic hernia repair in a child are- bilateral hernia, recurrent hernia after a failed repair and a girl child with suspected internal organ problems.

• Are any tests required for diagnosing or treating hernia in a child?

  The diagnosis of hernia is made clinically by an expert pediatric urologist surgeon on a thorough examination. Most of the times further testing is not required. A routine blood tests and a simple urine test is done for assessing fitness for hernia repair surgery.

• Can hernia occur again after hernia repair in a child?

  Recurrence of hernia after hernia surgery in a child is rare in hands of experienced pediatric surgeons. There is 5% chance of hernia appearing on the other side when one sided hernia is operated in a child. This primarily occurs as the defect leading to hernia on one side may be already there on the other side too but clinically not significant initially. This may manifest clinically anytime in the coming few years. Routine both sided surgery for one sided hernia is no longer recommended as 19 children will have to be operated to prevent hernia per one child.

• Can hernia occur in girls?

  Inguinal hernias can occur in girls and girls comprise about 10% of all children coming to clinic with hernias. With girls, an ultrasound is mandatory before surgery to rule out any internal problems like malformation or absence of internal reproductive organs. Rarely, a karyotype may be required if any such issues is suspected on ultrasound.

Dr A.K.Singal is a renowned Pediatric urologist surgeon in Navi Mumbai, India. Dr Singal has performed more than 1000 hernia surgeries for children with best results in last few years and has been offering best advice and treatment for children with hernia. Dr Singal is also well trained and renowned for top results in laparoscopic hernia surgery repair for young children, both boys and girls.

Watch Videos of Hernia Surgery by Dr A.K.Singal

Inguinal hernia repair in a boy

Laparoscopic hernia repair for a girl