Inguinal hernia in a baby In the child inguinal hernia is formed in utero. This disease in boys is one of the reasons for contacting a surgeon in infancy. In girls inguinal hernia as a result of other anatomical features of the structure of the body, it is rare. There are two reasons for the appearance of a hernia. This is the weakness of the walls of the inguinal canal or the growth of the vaginal process of the peritoneum.

Causes of inguinal hernia

Inguinal hernia in infants is formed before the birth of a child. All inguinal hernias are divided into oblique and straight. Children have oblique congenital hernias, they can appear in boys and girls. In girls, inguinal hernia is associated with the fact that the uterus descends to its "legitimate" place, if the peritoneum does not clump, then the process is formed, it then protrudes outward. But this is very rare, so the boys inguinal hernia is found 100 times more often than it happens in girls. Inguinal hernia in boys appears as a result of lowering the testicles through the scrotum, through a flaw in the abdominal anterior wall. In the beginning, the left testicle descends, then the right one, so inguinal hernias in boys are often on the right side.

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Causes of inguinal hernia

Symptoms of inguinal hernia

In fact, inguinal hernia is a sac, in it a part of the organ or tissues protrudes. But often this bag after birth is invisible. In addition, in 5% of cases it does not manifest itself and passes by itself. But if this does not happen, the symptoms of inguinal hernia can easily be recognized even by a non-professional.

Hernia is formed in the infant's groin on the scrotum in the form of a cone, protrusion or pronounced asymmetry. It can decrease, briefly disappear, can change its shape. This protrusion with a gentle pressure disappears, as if refreshed. In addition, the hernia seems to decrease, if the child sleeps and protrudes quietly when coughing, laughing, crying or some other stresses of the abdominal wall. Therefore, the opinion has gone that in children up to the year the inguinal hernia appears from a long crying. But now, as you understand, the hernia becomes more noticeable, and not formed from screaming.

In addition, the infringement of the inguinal hernia of a newborn is joined by pain in the area of ​​protrusion. Hernia because of this can not be corrected, besides the child will not let him feel his bulging, since it hurts. Symptoms of inguinal hernia can be vomiting, nausea and constipation. In a few hours, the restrained organs may wither away, and the pain will subside. This imaginary well-being, if you do not make an operation for a child, he may die.

It is important to perform a surgical removal of the hernia when it is free.

Treatment of a hernia in infants

Treatment of a hernia in infants If not treated in a timely manner, then the contents of the hernial sac may be infringed. Uncomplicated hernia can be cured with a bandage. But there is a possibility of the opposite effect, because the prolonged wearing of the bandage promotes atrophy of the abdominal muscles, which may further promote the development of a hernia. Therefore, this method of treatment can not be recommended as reliable.

The most effective way to treat inguinal hernias in newborns is to remove them surgically. An operation is performed on one of two variants.

  • Open method. A cut is made from 1.5 to 12 cm, depending on the situation. Through this incision, the internal organs are returned to their position, the tissues are reinforced or the polypropylene mesh is installed.
  • Closed method( laparoscopy).The operation is performed through 3 punctures in the peritoneum. This method allows you to significantly reduce the injury of tissues and pain in the postoperative period. Accordingly, the child will be able to return to normal life much faster. A similar operation is performed under general anesthesia.

Remember that you can not delay the operation. This can lead to a number of other problems, such as infertility, and even the death of a child.

To prevent the inguinal hernia, it is recommended to strengthen the abdominal muscles, that is, to move more, to massage, to eat properly.