Hernia in children:
Hernia is a condition frequently found in children. It is a hole in the inner wall of the abdomen, and in cases of increased pressure level (cases of crying or coughing, for example in a child), all abdominal organs protrude through that hole (not only the intestines, it could be an egg in the child), while a protruding body appears on the outside through the abdomen. .
In adults, hernias result from muscle weakness, while in children, in most cases, hernias are a hole that has been present since birth. Then, this hole closes in normal cases. In some cases, it does not close on its own, leaving a hernia. Noticing its presence is immediately after birth or it may be after years of the child’s life).
Types of hernia:
There are often two types of hernia that are present in abundance, and they are:
Umbilical hernia:
It is present at the level of the umbilicus and is present in 20% of children, in parallel between the sexes.
Inguinal hernia:
It is present in the lower abdomen and above the thigh more often in boys, about 80 percent, and between 2 and 5 percent of children.
Also, children who were born early have more.
How does a hernia form?
- Umbilical hernia through the umbilical cord. The nutritional exchange takes place between the mother and the fetus, and at birth it closes after a while. And when it does not close, there is still a hernia
- Inguinal hernia is more complicated, as the testicles grow in children inside the abdomen, then descend to the lower region next to the thigh, and there remains a channel through which the hernia is formed. The girls have the same thing for the ovaries.
When can a hernia be discovered?
- When a mother changes diapers for her son, and in the event of his crying, the hernia is discovered at the level of the abdomen or above the thigh.
- The doctor discovers the condition when following up on growth or vaccination. It is recommended to take him to a pediatric surgeon.
- During circumcision, a clinical examination is performed, the hernia is discovered, and a double surgery is performed (circumcision and hernia).
- Hernia can be detected in a sour condition.
Symptoms:
Hernia (a spherical body) that appears when a child cries or coughs, whether in the navel or inguinal region. It is soft and painless and can be restored with the fingers.
In the case of umbilical hernia, surgery must be performed at the age of 3 years, because it can close automatically before this age, and turbidity cases are rare. So you can wait.
As for the inguinal hernia, it cannot wait, although it can close automatically until the sixth month of the child’s life, but it can become disturbed by 30 percent in newborn children and can cause disturbances because one of the organs can remain in that hole and it is difficult for the blood to pass through this area. of the testicles. The case requires urgent intervention in these cases:
- When the hernia becomes painful.
- The child vomits.
- The member in the hernia becomes dry.
- Not being able to enter it.
treatment:
- For a hernia at the umbilical level, the anesthesia is for the entire body through an opening through which it is closed, then the navel is returned to its place, and on the same day the child leaves the hospital.
- For inguinal hernia, an opening is made (on the same day the operation is performed and the child leaves the hospital) to close the canal with full body anesthesia, but for infants or those who were born early, anesthesia is done at the back level to avoid full anesthesia at this age.
Treatment in severe cases:
For obstructive hernia, which requires urgent intervention for girls, the operation must be performed immediately. As for the boys, the doctor tries to return the hernia with his hand, and it is possible to wait two days, after which the surgery is performed. As for the girls, the case does not require follow-up, while the boys must follow up on their condition for two years to confirm that the testicle is in a state of normal growth. Note that this operation has a success rate of 99 percent.
Complications after the operation:
- Swelling at the level of the operation site and it goes away quickly.
- wound rot.
- Return of the hernia and having to repeat the operation.
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child health