Patient's question:
My youngest son had an inguinal hernia on the right side when he was eight months old. It was very small and had flared up a few times back then. Now that he's four years old, it hasn't appeared for two years, but it does come down when he strains. Should he have surgery, or can we wait until he's older? How is an inguinal hernia treated in a three-year-old?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.