Inguinal Hernia in Children
Inguinal hernia, or groin hernia, is one of the most common surgical conditions in children, occurring in 1-4% of cases. The primary cause is the failure of the internal ring, a structure in the abdominal wall that temporarily opens during testicular descent, to close after birth. This opening allows abdominal organs, most commonly the small and large intestines or the ovaries in girls, to protrude into the groin area. Activities like straining or movement can push these organs through the opening, causing the hernia to grow over time.
In infants, the initial stage of hernia often involves a narrow opening, increasing the risk of incarceration, where the protruding organs become trapped. This is a critical condition as it can impair blood flow to the trapped organs. For this reason, surgical repair of inguinal hernias in children should not be delayed. If incarceration occurs, emergency surgery is required.
Treatment
The only treatment for inguinal hernia is surgery. Hernias do not resolve on their own, and waiting increases the risk of complications. Surgery can be performed using either open or laparoscopic techniques. Under appropriate conditions, it is a highly successful outpatient procedure, allowing the child to return home the same day.
