Children’s Inguinal Hernia: To Remove or Not To Remove?

28 de octubre de 2025

2 min de lectura

Parents do not always know how serious inguinal hernia in children is because it does not cause pain. However, parents should look out for signs of it in children, as it can have serious consequences.

Puntos clave

Parents do not always know how serious inguinal hernia in children is because it does not cause pain.
Umbilical or inguinal?
What it looks like

Para quién es

Personas que exploran Pediatría a través de children, surgery.

Por qué importa

Este artículo te ayuda a orientarte rápidamente y luego avanzar a una colección o serie si quieres seguir profundizando.

Autor del artículo

Dr. Serge

cirujano

Umbilical or inguinal?

A groin hernia is a malformation and occurs most often in the first year of life. Typically, there are unilateral hernias on the right side in the groin area. Today, many people confuse umbilical hernia and inguinal hernia in children. Umbilical hernias occur as a result of the enlarged umbilical ring, and they become smaller relative to the body as the child grows. Over time, an umbilical hernia will resolve itself and “disappear.”

However, inguinal hernias do not resolve on their own. An inguinal hernia usually occurs in boys during the omission of the testicles into the scrotum. This process involves a peritoneal outgrowth that paves the way for the testicle to form into the scrotum. The peritoneal bulge fuses in the first months of life, but if it does not, the unhealed bulge becomes a hernia sac, into which the organs of the abdomen move.

What it looks like

Parents find a round-shaped bulge in the inguinal area, which appears or increases with an intra-abdominal pressure due to coughing, screaming, crying, and hiccups. Touching an inguinal hernia does not cause pain. The bulge is smooth, soft, and easily repositioned with the fingers. As it moves, it often makes noise since there are loops of the intestine in the hernia sac. After it has been moved back, the hernia will not return to its position for a while.

What are the dangers?

The most serious complication is impingement of the hernial contents. An increase in intra-abdominal pressure due to a child’s strong cry, exertion, or flatulence leads to a hernia sac with contents outside the inguinal canal, after which the external inguinal ring takes on its former size and compresses the contents. In parts of the internal organs trapped in the sac, blood circulation is disrupted, the hernia site becomes dense and swollen, and the child will begin to have severe pain, nausea, and vomiting. It is important to notice the impingement in time and consult a doctor. This will avoid the death of the pinched organ, perforation, and peritonitis.

Treatment overview

Today, the only treatment for inguinal hernia is surgical — specifically, complete excision of the hernia sac and suturing of the hernia gate. Laparoscopic excision is used here more often than the usual method of surgery. The operation lasts about 30 minutes and does not require rehabilitation.

Hernia impingement can occur at any time, so you should not postpone treatment in the hope that it will pass.

Seguir leyendo

Pediatría#hemoglobina

Blood Transfusion for Premature Babies: A New Perspective

The largest randomized clinical trial on blood transfusion to premature babies was completed by Dr. Haresh Kirpalani of the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Edward Bell of the University of Iowa, and colleagues from the Neonatal Research Network, including Dr. Rosemary Higgins of the George Mason University College of Health and Human Services. The study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. To date, this is the most ambitious research in the world that examines blood transfusion in premature babies.

Darya28 oct 2025

Pediatría#children

How to Train the Vestibular Apparatus in Children

How do you know if your child has a weak vestibular apparatus? It could be that they get sick when traveling, easily lose coordination and balance, especially on uneven surfaces, or have a fear of falling. Or they could be afraid of taking the elevator and cycling. If this sounds familiar, how can you help your child?

Dra. Tatjana28 oct 2025

Salud masculina#la salud del hombre

6 formas de mejorar el potencial de los hombres

El 40 % de los hombres mayores de 45 años tienen problemas de erección, que suelen comenzar periódicamente. Esto puede ocurrir debido a varios factores, aunque lo más importante es no entrar en pánico, ya que se puede tratar.

Dr. Serge28 oct 2025

Huesos y músculos#scoliosis

Scoliosis: What Should You Do?

When you are a child, your parents tell you not to slouch. When you are an adult, you hear that you should stand upright, straighten your shoulders and breathe deeper. How much are you in control of your posture, and how can you change your body from appearing like a question mark to looking more like an exclamation?

Dra. Anna 28 oct 2025

Instala Ornament para no solo leer estos artículos, sino también hacer seguimiento de tu salud, guardar resultados de análisis y acceder a otras funciones útiles

Instalar Ornament