Pediatric inguinal hernia is a common disease in general surgery, which mostly occurs in boys and premature babies, and girls may also suffer from hernia. If left untreated, it can lead to hernia impaction, intestinal perforation, and in serious cases, it may cause permanent dysfunction and seriously affect the function of the reproductive system. At present, laparoscopic surgery is one of the most advanced methods for treating inguinal hernia, with the characteristics of small trauma and short recovery time. Zhengzhou People’s Hospital General Surgery Department, with rich experience in surgical clinical and scientific research, is particularly good at small incision surgery and laparoscopic surgery for pediatric inguinal hernia. This article tells you what pediatric inguinal hernia is and the advantages of laparoscopic surgical treatment from a medical professional perspective. What is pediatric inguinal hernia Pediatric inguinal hernia, or pediatric hernia, is the most common disease in pediatric general surgery. This becomes a hernia. Most of the time, a bulge will form in the groin, especially when the child is crying and straining, such as when the child is defecating. However, there are cases where the bulge is not visible or even invisible. Therefore, it is best for parents to bring a photo of the protrusion to the doctor’s office for reference and diagnosis. Pediatric hernias are common, with an incidence of up to 2%, 10 times higher in boys than in girls, and even higher in premature babies, and may occur on both sides. Consequences of untreated pediatric hernia If left untreated, the protrusion may become stuck in the child’s intestinal wall. If the protrusion is not reset in time, insufficient blood supply may occur, leading to hernia impaction and intestinal perforation, which may cause permanent dysfunction in severe cases, as well as abdominal pain, bloating and vomiting in the child. The hernia may also cause insufficient blood supply to the ipsilateral testicle, leading to atrophy. In girls, the hernia protrusion usually wraps around one ovary, which can lead to ischemic necrosis of the ovary if left untreated. The need for surgery Performing surgery as soon as possible is the only way to treat a pediatric hernia. Most preterm infants with hernias undergo surgery before discharge from the hospital because most hernia intussusceptions occur mostly in newborns. However, in other countries, including China, physicians mostly choose to observe the child during the first week of life for self-healing. We recommend surgery as early as possible because most hernias do not heal on their own. During surgery for inguinal hernia, in addition to closing the unclosed portion, the surgeon will check for the possibility of a hernia on the other side (bilateral hernias have a 10% chance of occurring), and if one is present, the surgeon will repair it at the same time, in addition to checking for other factors that may contribute to the hernia, such as an undescended testicle, to avoid recurrence of the hernia. With the spread of laparoscopic surgery, surgeons can treat pediatric hernias with this minimally invasive surgical approach, which is less invasive and has a shorter recovery time. Risks of inguinal hernia surgery Pediatric surgeons with extensive experience and routine training can perform inguinal hernia surgery with a reduced likelihood of complications. After surgery, especially if the area of hernia repair is relatively large, temporary swelling may occur in the scrotum, which will disappear as the patient heals. Other possible complications include wound infection, higher positioning of the testicle, recurrence and vascular injury. Patients can usually be discharged the day of surgery or the next day.