Hernia and Hydroceles

HERNIA AND HYDROCELES

What is a hernia

Why did my baby get a hernia

How is a hernia treated

Why is incarceration of a hernia bad

How will I know if the hernia is incarcerated

What is a hydrocele

WHAT IS A HERNIA

1. The bowel (intestine) is normally found in the abdomen. A hernia is a loop of the bowel that moves into an area where it normally would not be.

2. In babies the most common hernias are inguinal hernias and umbilical hernias.

3. An inguinal hernia is in the groin in the skin crease between the leg and the abdomen. In a baby boy the bowel loop often slides into the scrotum.

a. An inguinal hernia can happen on one or both sides, although a right-sided hernia is more common.

4. An umbilical hernia happens after the umbilical cord “falls off” and the bowel loop pushes out where the cord used to be.

5. Hernias are not usually present at birth but appear later.

WHY DID MY BABY GET A HERNIA

1. While the baby is still in the uterus, tissues in the abdomen normally come together and seal over.

2. If the tissues don’t seal over or they reopen, fluid and loops of bowel can slide into the areas causing a hernia.

3. When babies are born prematurely and they use their intestines earlier, there is more pressure and fullness to the tummy. This makes the risk for a hernia greater.

4. Hernias are more common in:

a. Smaller babies

b. Boy babies

c. Babies who have had lung disease.

HOW IS A HERNIA TREATED

1. Umbilical hernias usually go away during the 1st two years of life.

2. Umbilical hernias usually only need surgery if they become very large or a loop of bowel gets caught or trapped (incarcerated) in the hernia.

3. A small one-sided inguinal hernia may be allowed to close on its own.

4. A larger inguinal hernia usually requires surgery.

a. This surgery may be postponed until the baby is older and has gained weight.

5. Hernias that have a loop of bowel caught or trapped (incarcerated) in the hernia require immediate surgery.

6. The doctor will talk with you about if and/or when the surgery needs to be done.

WHY IS INCARCERATION OF A HERNIA BAD

1. Incarceration is a rare event.

2. When a loop of bowel gets caught in the hernia, it swells. This cuts off the blood supply to that loop of bowel and the bowel loop can die and/or rupture.

3. In baby boys the swollen loop of bowel can cut off the blood supply to the testicle on the same side as the hernia causing injury or death to the testicle.

HOW WILL I KNOW IF THE HERNIA IS INCARCERATED

1. Signs of incarceration may include:

a. Crying that goes on for a really long time

b. Difficulty soothing or quieting the baby

c. Soreness or tenderness over the hernia, the baby pulls his knees up on the hernia to protect it

d. Redness or bluish color in the groin area or on the scrotum

e. Vomiting

2. Not all of the signs need to be present. If you are worried about the baby’s hernia, CALL THE BABY’S DOCTOR.

WHAT IS A HYDROCELE

1. A hydrocele is a collection of fluid in the scrotum. A hydrocele is a common finding in premature babies.

2. A hydrocele may either be unilateral (one side) or bilateral (both sides).

3. It is usually transient—meaning it may go away on its own.

4. If it does not go away on its own, either:

a. The doctor aspirates (draws out) fluid from the hydrocele using a needle and syringe

b. The baby may need to go to surgery, however this surgery is often postponed until the baby is about one year of age.

5. The doctor will talk with you about if and/or when the surgery needs to be done.

Reviewed/Revised:

3/03, 8/05, 4/07, 1/10