Inguinal hernia (peds)

Inguinal Hernia

Background

• 1-2% of children hve these
  • 10% become incarcerated
    • 70% of incarceration occurs ininfants (usu <6 mo)
• M:F 6:1
• 21% of F w/ inguinal hernia contain an ovary!

Diagnosis

• parents usu report bulge in scrotum or groin that incr w/ crying
• lack of transillumination indicates incarcerated hernia vs hydrocele (usu no chng w/ crying)
• UTZ

DDX

1. hydrocele
2. torsion
3. inguinal lymph node

Treatment

1. 95% can be reduced w/o surgery using gentle FIRM CONTINUOUS pressure, trendelenberg, & analgesics
2. Surgery consult or f/u if can't reduce. Ensure no obstruction