Inguinal Hernia

An inguinal hernia occurs when the inguinal canal remains open in the womb and the lining of the abdomen extends from the inguinal canal to the scrotum (the bag where the testicle is located). In the early stages in the womb, the testicles (ovaries) are at the same level as the kidneys. As the baby grows in the womb, the testicles begin to descend to their normal places. In the sixth month, they leave the abdominal cavity, and in the last month they pass through the inguinal canal and descend into the scrotum. After the descent of the testicles is complete, the inguinal canal is closed.  If the inguinal canal is not closed, and the abdominal organs, such as the intestines, testes or ovaries in girls, descend into the inguinal canal, then they create the prerequisites for the occurrence of an inguinal hernia.  Inguinal hernia treatment in children and infants is an operation under general anesthesia. There is absolutely no treatment with an inguinal ligation or with medication. And this state does not go away by itself while waiting. A normal inguinal hernia is not an emergency operation, but still an urgent operation. This urgency is to solve the problem no later than a few weeks, or than a month. The common opinion accepted around the world is that ”inguinal hernia in children should be operated on as soon as the conditions are appropriate”. If there is a respiratory infection that will prevent general anesthesia, if the patient's general condition is bad, the operation can be postponed until the clinical condition improves. If inguinal hernias are left untreated, intra-abdominal organs can become stacked in the inguinal canal, a situation called entrapment. With strangulated inguinal hernia, the blood circulation of the intra-abdominal organs in the groin is disturbed, and gangrene (strangulation) may occur. In addition, these organs stuck in the inguinal canal can damage testicular vessels, nerves, the sperm-carrying canal, and the testicle itself under pressure.   In some cases, it can even cause death. Therefore, if the strangulated inguinal hernia cannot be released (if the organs pinched in the inguinal canal cannot be repositioned into the abdominal cavity), emergency surgery may be required