Pediatric inguinal hernias are common in pediatric surgery, with an incidence of 0.8 to 4.4%, and are somewhat more likely to occur in boys than in girls, especially in premature infants, where the incidence can reach 30%. If left untreated, it can lead to hernia impaction or intestinal perforation, and in severe cases, it may lead to dysplasia of one testicle or ovary, causing permanent dysfunction and affecting the function of the reproductive system. What is a pediatric inguinal hernia? Pediatric inguinal hernia, the most common disease in pediatric general surgery, is mainly caused by some children who are born with weak areas where the groin does not close properly, causing the small intestine, omentum, ovaries, and fallopian tubes in the abdominal cavity to leave their original position and protrude from the groin, which becomes a hernia. In children with inguinal hernia, most of the time, the protrusion can be observed at the base of the thighs, i.e. in the groin, especially when the child’s abdomen is under increased pressure, such as crying or defecation, the protrusion becomes more obvious. However, there are times when the protrusion is not obvious or even invisible. Therefore, parents should pay attention to the protrusion and take a picture of it when it is obvious, so that when they bring their child to the doctor, they can help the doctor make a better diagnosis of the child’s condition. What happens if left untreated? If a pediatric inguinal hernia is not treated in time, there are the following risks: the child may experience abdominal pain, abdominal distention, vomiting, etc.; the small intestine, omentum and other organs that have left their original position cannot be restored to their original position in time, and insufficient blood supply occurs, affecting their function, which is called hernia impaction; in severe cases, ischemic necrosis of the intestine, intestinal perforation, acute peritonitis, etc. may occur, which may endanger life; in boys, the inguinal hernia may enter the In boys, inguinal hernia may enter the scrotum and compress the testes, causing insufficient blood supply to the ipsilateral testes and affecting the development and function of the testes; in girls, if it is the ovaries or fallopian tubes that leave the abdominal cavity, it may lead to ischemic necrosis of the ovaries or fallopian tubes. The need for surgery The chances of self-healing of inguinal hernia in children are very low, only 1% , much lower than the 28% chance of complications. 1. Prevent ingrown hernia: Dr. Jacobs, Chief of Surgery at Toronto Hospital, found from clinical experience that children who underwent surgery within two weeks of discovery of a hernia were half as likely to have an ingrown hernia compared to children who were observed for 30 days after discovery of the hernia. 2. Preventing a hernia on the other side: Bilateral hernias have a 10% chance of occurring. In addition to treating the hernia that has already occurred, the surgeon can also check for the possibility of a hernia on the other side and repair it in time. 3. Prevent recurrence: The surgeon will also check for other factors that may have caused 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. This procedure is less invasive and has a shorter recovery time.