Inguinal Hernia Repair (child)
This webpage will give you information about an inguinal
hernia repair. If you have any questions, you should ask your GP or
other relevant health professional.
What is an inguinal hernia?
An inguinal hernia happens at the inguinal canal. This is a
narrow passage where, in boys, blood vessels supplying the testicle
pass through the abdominal wall. In girls, the connection is
between the abdomen and labia. Usually the passage closes shortly
after your child is born. If it remains open, the contents of the
abdomen can push down towards the scrotum or labia (see figure
1).
Figure 1
a The connection between the abdomen and the testicle usually
closes
b Sometimes the connection remains open, leading to a
hernia.
A hernia can be dangerous because the intestines or other
structures within the abdomen can get trapped and have their blood
supply cut off (strangulated hernia).
What are the benefits of surgery?
Your child should no longer have the hernia. Surgery should
prevent your child from having any serious complications that a
hernia can cause.
Are there any alternatives to surgery?
The hernia will not go away without an operation.
What does the operation involve?
Most inguinal hernias in children are repaired through a cut in
the groin.
The operation is performed under a general anaesthetic. The
operation usually takes between half an hour and an hour.
Your surgeon will make a cut in the groin and remove the
‘hernial sac’.
What complications can happen?
1 General complications of any operation
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Infection in the surgical wound
- Unsightly scarring
- Inflammation
2 Specific complications of this operation
- Developing a lump under the wound
- Developing a swelling around the testicle
- Injury to structures within the hernia
- Injury to nerves
- Damage of the blood supply to the testicle
- The testicle may come to lie higher in the scrotum
- Damage to the tube that carries sperm
How soon will my child recover?
Your child should be able to go home the same day or the day
after. Your doctor will tell you when your child can return to
school.
In a small number of cases the hernia can come back.
Summary
An inguinal hernia is a common condition caused by a weakness in
the abdominal wall near the inguinal canal. If left untreated, an
inguinal hernia can occasionally cause serious complications.
Copyright © 2008 EIDO Healthcare Limited
The operation and treatment information on this website is
produced by EIDO Healthcare Ltd and is licensed by Ramsay Health
Care UK.
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