Patient's question:
My youngest son had a right inguinal hernia at eight months old. It was very small and had flared up a few times back then. Now he's four years old, and it hasn't appeared for two years, though it may slip out when he exerts himself. Should he have surgery? Can it wait until he's older? How is an inguinal hernia treated in a three-year-old child?Doctor's answer:
Pediatric hernia is usually a lump that protrudes in the groin area due to severe coughing, exercise, or bowel movements. The size of the lump varies, it is relatively hard and mostly delicate. Sometimes it extends to the scrotum or labia, and it protrudes when standing, but disappears when lying down to rest or after sleeping. In severe cases, symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite may occur. It is recommended to visit the outpatient clinic for examination. If conservative treatment causes pain and the lump is difficult to retract, surgical treatment should be performed in a timely manner.