Patient's question:
The child of my sister is now over a year old. They were previously diagnosed with a hernia at the hospital. Treatment has already begun. Could you please explain why the child has a hernia, and what are the causes of pediatric hernia?Doctor's answer:
Hydrocele is inguinal hernia in children, commonly known as "protruding intestines." It is the most common surgical disease in pediatric surgery. During the embryonic period, there is a "peritoneal processus vaginalis" in the inguinal region, which helps the testes descend into the scrotum or anchors the round ligament of the uterus. In some children, the processus vaginalis does not close completely at birth, leading to the intestines, omentum, ovaries, and fallopian tubes entering the abdomen. The processus vaginalis becomes a hernia. If only ascites enters the scrotum, it is called scrotal edema. Hernias typically occur in boys.