Patient's question:
Inguinal hernia, baby is 11 months old. When the hernia was first discovered, it hadn't dropped into the scrotum yet. Later, it grew larger, and in the past two or three months, it has been frequently dropping down. We've tried using a hernia belt, but it hasn't helped. I'd like to ask if there are any other solutions. If surgery is necessary, at what age is the child considered old enough for the procedure? What are the precautions to be aware of? Is the surgery minimally invasive?Doctor's answer:
The probability of a hernia belt completely healing a hernia is relatively low. Its main purpose is to prevent the lump from descending as much as possible, to avoid strangulation, and not to interfere with the child's growth and development. If the child is under one year old, careful observation should be maintained up to the age of three, but if it still cannot heal, surgical treatment is required. As the child grows older, the hernia lump will become larger. If it can be retracted in time, the problem is not serious. However, if the lump reappears with slight force or even when standing, it will often interfere with normal life and may cause infertility. If a child with a hernia has a recurrent "sac" that is hard and cannot be retracted back into the abdomen, accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, abdominal pain, and fever, it indicates that the small intestine has strangled again. Immediate medical attention and surgical treatment should be sought.