1- 1 Inguinal Hernia Treatment
Inguinal hernias usually need to be surgically repaired to prevent intestinal damage and further complications. There is no non-surgical treatment for hernia. If the hernia is detected and corrected early, aside from a small scar there should be no long term complications. The surgery takes about an hour and is usually an outpatient procedure (which means the patient can go home the same day of the procedure). Premature babies that have the surgery may need to stay overnight in the hospital so we can carefully watch them.
During the surgery
- An anesthesiologist (a doctor who specializes in pain relief) gives your child general anesthesia, which relaxes your child’s muscles and induces sleep. Your child will not feel pain during the surgery.
- A small incision, or cut, (from 2 to 3 cm.) is made in the skin fold of the groin.
- The hernia “sac” containing the bulging small intestine is identified.
- The surgeon pushes the intestine inside the hernia sac back into its proper position behind the muscle wall.
- The hernia sac is removed.
- The muscle wall is reinforced with stitches to prevent another hernia.
1- 2 Umbilical Hernia Treatment
Most umbilical hernias in babies close on their own by age 1 or 2. For children, surgery is typically reserved for umbilical hernias that:
- Are painful
- Are bigger than 1.5 centimeters in diameter
- Are large and don’t decrease in size over the first two years
- Don’t disappear by age 4
- Become trapped or block the intestines
During surgery, a small incision is made at the base of the bellybutton. The herniated tissue is returned to the abdominal cavity, and the opening in the abdominal wall is stitched closed. In adults, surgeons often use mesh to help strengthen the abdominal wall.
References:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/pediatric-inguinal-hernia-treatment?view=print
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/umbilical-hernia/basics/treatment/con-20025630
