Inguinal hernias in children: is surgery required?

Top Doctors recently spoke to leading consultant paediatric urologist, Mr CK Sinha. Here, Mr Sinha details how common inguinal hernias are in babies, and what the main causes and symptoms are. 

How common are inguinal hernias?

Inguinal hernias are seen in between three to five per cent of full-term babies and in about 10 per cent of premature babies.

What are the main causes?

During the development of a child in the mother’s womb, testes develop inside the abdomen. Each testis travels to the scrotum towards the end of pregnancy through a passage. If the passage remains wide open, it allows bowel and abdomen contents to come into the groin area. This is how an inguinal hernia is formed. 

What symptoms are associated with inguinal hernias?

A reducible hernia usually presents with a history of intermittent swelling in the groin noted during crying. Demonstration of a groin lump that is reducible on gentle pressure confirms the diagnosis. An obstructed hernia usually presents as a tender, firm lump in the groin area, which cannot be reduced by gentle pressure. 

How are they treated?

An inguinal hernia does not resolve itself and is treated with an operation as soon as possible. If obstructed, it needs to be treated as an emergency.

Is surgery required?

Yes. Surgery is definitely required for inguinal hernia because of the risks of bowel obstruction. Usually, a reducible hernia operation is done as a day case i.e. the child can go home the same day.

The complications are seen in less than two per cent of operations, which are injury to the sperm tube or blood supply of the testis, recurrence of the hernia, testicular atrophy, testicular ascent, and sometimes occurrence of hernia on the other side.

If you wish to book an appointment with Mr CK Sinha, you can head on over to his Top Doctors profile today to do just that.