Inguinal hernia and
hydrocoeles
Both conditions present with a swelling in the
groin, often extending down into the scrotum. A hernia usually has
loops of bowel, which descend into the scrotum, while a hydrocoele
consists simply of fluid around a testis.
Complications
A hydrocoele usually has no symptoms whilst a
hernia may obstruct and result in a very sick child with severe
tummy pain and vomiting.
Is treatment required?
If a hydrocoele is persistent, then it may need
surgery anytime between 3-5 years of age, depending on the size. We
strongly recommend that a hernia is fixed within 2-3 weeks of
diagnosis, to prevent it from obstructing the bowel.
Surgery
The surgery for either condition is minor and takes
20-30 minutes. It is usually performed as a day case particularly
in older infants and children.
Submitted by Mr
D Misra, Consultant Paediatric General Surgeon &
Urologist
(see editorial published by Mr Misra on hernias
in Acta Paediatrica, 2001, 90: 1-3)