Your Child Doesn't Get a Hernia Because They Cry! They Cry Because They Have a Hernia...

We spoke with a Pediatric Surgery Specialist at Hisar Hospital Intercontinental about inguinal hernias, which are seen more frequently in boys and about which there is a mistaken belief that they occur because the child cries…

Experts, who stress that inguinal hernias are seen much more frequently especially in the neonatal period and that families must therefore be very careful, explain that when the baby is in the mother's womb, the child's testis is in its own abdomen. Starting from the 7th month, as birth approaches, it descends through the canal and then into the scrotum. This descent is accompanied by the peritoneum. After the descent is complete, the canal that led into the scrotum closes. The spermatic cord, the testicular artery, vein and nerve structures pass alongside and behind this closed membrane layer. If this membrane layer closes insufficiently, the intra-abdominal organs advance toward the canal. This inguinal hernia seen in children is called an indirect inguinal hernia. It is seen more frequently especially in premature infants, low birth weight infants, those with a family history of hernia problems, those with connective tissue disease, and children with undescended testis problems. It is a congenital disease and eventually becomes apparent. The most basic symptom is swelling in the groin. This swelling appears in situations that increase intra-abdominal pressure, such as constipation or crying. For this reason, families may be misled into believing that their child has a hernia because they cry. On the contrary, children do not get hernias because they cry; they cry because they have a hernia.’ they said…

Things to Know to Distinguish Inguinal Hernias From Diseases of the Same Region…

Apart from inguinal hernias, undescended testis, hydrocele and spermatic cord cyst may also be seen in males. If the peritoneal layer closes above and below the canal and the middle remains open, a condition called a spermatic cord cyst develops. Its treatment is similar to that of inguinal hernias. After diagnosis, a period of observation is maintained; if it does not regress, surgical intervention is performed.

In hydrocele, known colloquially as "water hernia" and most commonly seen in newborns during the first 6 months, the membrane layer is closed along the canal. However, the area around the testis in the scrotum remains open and fills with fluid. Generally, it is observed under control until 1 year of age; if it does not resolve after the child passes 1 year of age, surgery is performed.

Inguinal Hernias Require Urgent Surgical Intervention, and Hernias Repaired With a Good Technique Do Not Recur!

A hernia is a problem that requires urgent surgery. It does not heal on its own. Surgery should be performed as soon as possible, once the doctor, the patient and the family are ready. If surgery is not performed, the most feared complication in the short term is strangulation of the hernia. The strangulated organs may be the intestine and intra-abdominal organs that advance into the hernia sac, and in girls it is often the ovary. Therefore, early intervention is very important. In boys, in the long term, the hernia damages the testis and its vessels, causing cellular-level deterioration. For this reason, surgery is needed as soon as possible after diagnosis. After the operation performed under general anesthesia, the patient is discharged the same day and is called for follow-up the next day and 1 week later.

Things to Note After Surgery…

The surgical area should not be exposed to any trauma.

If the hernia has descended as far as the scrotum, the scrotum may swell, redden and bruise slightly. This is the normal course of surgery. Do not worry.

Consult Your Physician Immediately If These Symptoms Occur!

If abnormal swelling or redness appears in the area after surgery,

If abdominal swelling is seen in the child,

If bowel problems such as inability to pass stool occur, a physician should be consulted without any delay.