Inguinal hernia (inguinal hernia)

A paediatric inguinal hernia is congenital and cannot be compared with an adult inguinal hernia. It is a connection between the abdominal cavity and the scrotum in boys or the vulva in girls, which did not close during development in the womb. In the course of the postnatal period, this connection becomes larger and organs from the abdominal cavity, such as the intestines or parts of the ovary, slip into this connection in the event of an inguinal hernia. This leads to a visible swelling in the area of the groin or scrotum. Once this has occurred, there is a risk of incarceration, i.e. that these organs no longer slide back into the abdominal cavity and the blood flow is disturbed by the incarceration. The swelling can come and go.

Swelling in the groin or scrotum is often the only symptom. However, pain and restlessness can also occur. In the case of incarceration, the pain is very severe and the child cannot be calmed down.

The hernia is usually diagnosed during the physical examination along with the typical history.

An inguinal hernia should be operated on because the connection between the abdominal cavity and the scrotum/vagina no longer closes on its own. The aim of the operation is to close this connection. The operation can be performed laparoscopically, i.e. using the keyhole technique, or openly.

Depending on the age of the child, the operation is performed as an outpatient procedure, i.e. without an overnight stay in hospital, or as an inpatient procedure with an overnight stay in hospital after the operation.

The prognosis after the operation is very good. The occurrence of complications or a new hernia is less than 2%.