Inguinal Hernia

Pediatric inguinal hernia cause to symptoms if abdominal organs especially intestines enter into the inguinal canal. In girls, ovary and tubes may also go in inguinal canal (hernia sac). Swelling due to inguinal hernia can reach up to scrotum in boys. There is a risk of strangulation in untreated inguinal hernia. It is more common in infants and young children and requires operation under emergency conditions. Therefore, the child’s age is no matter after what the moment is inguinal hernia detected and the surgery should be planned as soon as possible.

If there is an inguinal hernia on one side of the patient, the hernia on the opposite side is likely to be high than normal, especially in young children. For this reason, the other side at the same time should be evaluated laparoscopically for hernia. If there is evidence of contralateral hernia, it should be repaired simultaneously.

Except the circumcision, the surgical treatment of inguinal hernia repair is the most commonly performed surgical procedure in children. Although open surgical repair is usually performed, especially in some selected cases, the repair can be pefrormed with closed (endoscopic) approach. Both surgical approaches have very high success rates.