It is the most common surgical intervention in childhood. Its incidence is 1-3% in newborns and 16-25% in premature babies. It is 3-10 times more common in boys than girls. It is typical for swelling in the groin to appear, especially when crying or straining. Although it is not a hereditary disease, there may be a history of hernia among family members (5-20%). Causes such as fluid accumulation or tumor that cause increased intra-abdominal pressure facilitate the emergence of long-lasting chronic coughing attacks.
Reasons
From the 14th week of life in the mother's womb, the reproductive glands located next to the kidneys descend towards the lower abdomen. In girls, the eggs settle in this region. In males, the testicles (eggs) leave the abdomen and descend into the bags.
During this descent, the peritoneum, which is dragged together, descends with the testis up to the bags like a glove finger. After a while, this sac closes and becomes a filamentous structure (However, it is known that this canal can remain open for life in some without symptoms).
As a result of the widening of the open canal over time or its reopening with the effects that occur after its closure (chronic cough, difficult straining due to constipation, some other intra-abdominal pressure increasing diseases); A hernia occurs with the displacement of some intra-abdominal organs into this canal. Hydrocele occurs when this sac becomes full of water.
Treatment Methods
The only treatment is surgical repair. Inguinal hernia should be operated when diagnosed. There is no age limit to wait for treatment. If there is no obstacle to the operation, it should be done when seen from birth. There is no drug treatment or spontaneous recovery. Hernia-like applications have no place today.
Before the surgical treatment, history taking (history of diseases, bleeding tendency and information about general anesthesia in the family) and complete blood count are sufficient for preparation. The operation is performed in the style of day surgery.
Inguinal hernias that are not operated carry a risk of strangulation. This probability is highest in the first months and it is reported that it can reach up to 60% in babies younger than 6 months. Immediate surgery is required in strangulated hernias that cannot be relocated.
When these cases are not intervened, signs of intestinal obstruction (vomiting, abdominal distension, inability to pass stool, indigestion and pain); Damage and testicular loss may occur as a result of malnutrition in the affected part of the intestine or the vessels of the testis and the spermatic tract. The same is true for ovaries in girls with an ovary in a hernia sac.
