Hernia Repair

Hernia repair is a common operation in children. Hernias occur when body tissue pushes through a weakened area in the muscle wall. It often looks like a bulge or a lump underneath the skin. There are several types of hernias–the most common in children are umbilical and inguinal.

Umbilical, or around the belly button, hernias may be present at birth or develop shortly after. The hernia may close on its own. If the umbilical hernia does not close on its own or the protruding tissue cannot be manipulated back in place by the doctor, then surgery is needed for repair. There are no home remedies to treat the hernia.

Inguinal hernias appear in the child's groin area and will not go away without surgery. In boys, the hernia can extend into the scrotum. These are repaired soon after diagnosis since they can impair blood flow to any organ involved.

Hernia surgery can usually be done on an outpatient basis and activity can be resumed as soon as the child is up to it. For a day or two after surgery your child may have some pain. Your doctor can recommend a pain relieving medication for your child. The surgical site will need to be kept clean and dry; your nurse or doctor will provide you with instructions on caring for the area. You will need to report any redness, swelling, drainage or increased pain of the surgical site to your doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: Can my child take a tub bath?
• A: Sponge baths are recommended until the first post- operative visit with the physician.

• Q: Will there be activity restrictions?
• A: Your child's pain may limit his or her activities, and he or she may want to engage in quiet activities for a few days.

Questions for Your Doctor Regarding this Surgery

• What risks and benefits are involved with the surgery?

• Will the problem return after surgery?

• How long will the procedure take?

After Surgery

Anesthesia is a concern for anyone undergoing a surgical procedure. Nausea and restlessness are common occurrences after surgery and do go away as the medication wears off. Many times the pediatric nurse will recommend letting your child sleep until he awakens on his own. After any of these surgeries your child's nurse will be checking their pain level frequently. Depending on your child's age and level of awareness after surgery, the following tool, called the Wong-Baker Facial Expression Scale, may be used to assess their comfort level. (Hint: a favorite toy brought from home may help with comfort.)

We realize that each surgery and recovery is unique, and our team of professionals are here to guide you and your child through their entire surgical experience. You can be assured that we will provide quality care and do what we can to make your child's recovery more comfortable. If you have any special needs during your hospitalization please let one of our professionals know.

Information compiled by Washburn University nursing students and approved by the the Stormont-Vail Pediatric Unit staff.

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