During the embryonic period, there is a “peritoneal sheath” in the groin that helps to fix the testicle descending into the scrotum or the round ligament of the uterus. In some children, this sheath is incompletely closed after birth, which is equivalent to a channel between the abdominal cavity and the scrotum, causing the small intestine, omentum, ovaries, fallopian tubes, etc. to enter this sheath and become herniated. The general incidence of hernia is 0.8-4.4%, 15 times higher in boys than in girls, and it is more common on the right side and may occur on both sides (about 15%). Symptoms of pediatric hernia: 1. Usually, when a child cries, exercises vigorously, or has dry stools, a protruding mass is found in the groin, sometimes extending to the scrotum or labia; it disappears on its own when lying down or when pressed by hand. 2. Once the hernia mass becomes ingrown (the mass is stuck in the inguinal region and cannot be reset), abdominal pain, crying and vomiting will occur. In this case, you should immediately go to the hospital, as over time, the intestinal canal can become necrotic and even life-threatening. Girls are prone to ovarian intussusception and should be operated as early as possible Pediatric hernia treatment: 1. Hernia belt therapy: Some parents often ask me if the hernia belt is useful. Because pediatric hernia has the possibility of self-healing within 6 months (very few), some parents choose the hernia belt. According to academician Zhang Jinzhe, the father of pediatric surgery in China, “the use of hernia belt must pay attention to the appropriate pressure, which can stop the internal organs from herniating and not press the red skin. For infants within 6 months of age, at least 2 consecutive months of no more masses are needed before they can heal themselves. This method is only used temporarily”. Many domestic scholars think that this method is meaningless. I personally think that: except for large hernias that are temporarily inoperable, it is not necessary because it is difficult to press the hernia belt just right to the position of the hernia sac opening. 2. Surgical treatment: (1) Traditional open hernia sac high ligation, which requires a 1.0cm-3.0cm incision in the lower abdomen to find the hernia sac and high ligation. Traditional open surgical wound. (2) Minimally invasive treatment: There are two ways at home and abroad: one is to hold a needle apparatus to suture the internal ring opening in the abdominal cavity. The other is hernia needle suture. The advantages of laparoscopy: the magnifying effect of laparoscopy, avoiding injury to the vas deferens and spermatic vessels, shortening the operation time, and the possibility of exploring the contralateral side. There are many children who may have bilateral morbidity, and laparoscopic minimally invasive treatment can deal with both sides at the same time, whereas two wounds are needed on both sides if open surgery is performed. Minimally invasive surgery basically achieves a scar-free result afterwards. Minimally invasive umbilical wounds: there was a basic consensus at the 2015 worldwide pediatric surgery conference that “laparoscopic treatment of pediatric hernias is superior to traditional surgery.” Syringomyelia: also known as “watery eggs”. The pathogenesis and surgical approach are basically the same as those for hernias, except that syringomyelia can wait to heal on its own if it is not under tension, with approximately 60% healing on its own within 2 years of age; if it does not heal on its own after 2 years of age, surgery may be an option. It should be noted that some parents take the method of extracting fluid or injecting medication to treat the disease. Therefore, it is especially recommended not to extract fluid except for surgery (because it does not fundamentally solve the disease); injecting medication is not recommended because the effect is not sure and the inflammation is difficult to control.