Inguinal hernia
Advanced and less invasive treatments
An inguinal hernia is one of the most common surgical conditions in childhood. It occurs when an opening that should close during development remains open, allowing abdominal contents to protrude into the groin. Diagnosis is usually made after a bulge is detected in the child's groin area and a visit to a specialist is made. Early treatment is important to avoid complications.
What is it?
An inguinal hernia is the protrusion of part of the abdominal contents through an opening that connects to the inguinal region.
In children , an inguinal hernia is a congenital anomaly, meaning it is present from birth, although it sometimes doesn't become apparent until later. Unlike hernias in adults, a child's inguinal hernia is not due to a muscular defect, but rather to the persistence of a connection between the abdominal cavity and the inguinal region that exists during prenatal development. It is more common in premature boys, although it also occurs in girls or low birth weight babies , and it is more frequently found on the right side.
Symptom
Sometimes, the contents of an incarcerated hernia begin to suffer from compression and impaired blood flow, resulting in what is called a strangulated hernia . This condition is often accompanied by vomiting, constipation, and general malaise, and requires urgent evaluation by a pediatric surgeon.
Causes
Hernias appear as a bulge in the groin area that develops when a child cries, screams, coughs, or strains their abdomen. This increases the pressure in the abdominal cavity, causing some of its contents to protrude through the inguinal opening.
Usually, the herniated contents are a loop of intestine, but it can also be an ovary in girls.
When a hernia is uncomplicated, it reduces easily by spontaneously returning to the abdominal cavity when crying stops, or with assistance. If the hernia does not reduce spontaneously when crying stops, it is an incarcerated (trapped) hernia, which can be felt as a hard, painful area in the groin.
Discovery
The diagnosis of an inguinal hernia is made through medical history and physical examination , reserving ultrasound for patients who may be difficult to diagnose due to anatomical abnormalities or previous surgeries. Although the hernia may not be present at the time of the medical visit, a thorough physical examination will allow the identification of indirect signs of its presence.
When an inguinal hernia is suspected, a clinical examination performed during the consultation, including a detailed interview with the parents, helps confirm the diagnosis. It is important to rule out episodes of incarceration, constipation, or vomiting caused by repeated protrusion of the hernia, as well as to help parents identify these symptoms and know what steps to take if they occur.
Treatment
The treatment for an inguinal hernia is always surgical . It is not considered an urgent procedure except in cases where the hernia is irreducible or strangulated. According to the surgical schedule of the Spanish Society of Pediatric Surgery and the European Guidelines, these hernias should be operated on as soon as they are diagnosed , without delaying the intervention.
Only in very premature or low birth weight newborns is it recommended to delay the intervention, if possible, to promote prior weight gain and reduce surgical and anesthetic risk.
The surgery involves making a small incision in the inguinal fold to locate and close the connection with the abdominal cavity, separating it from the other elements of the inguinal cord that are preserved. Recovery is usually good, and complications are uncommon.
Our centers
urology
We treat our patients at the ROC Chamberí clinic and in the HM Hospitals network of centers in Madrid: Sanchinarro, Montepríncipe, Madrid Río, Rivas, Puerta del Sur, Nuevo Belén, Policlínico HM Moraleja and Nuevo Norte.
ROC Chamberí
- Paseo del General Martínez Campos, 17 – 1 B, 28010, Madrid
Coming soon
ROC Bernabéu
-
Basilica Street, 20, 28020,
Madrid
ROC HM Sanchinarro
- Calle de Oña, 10, 28050, Sanchinarro neighborhood, Madrid.
ROC HM Montepríncipe
- Avenida de Montepríncipe, 25, 28660, Boadilla del Monte, Madrid.
ROC HM South Gate
- Avenida de Carlos V, 70, 28938, Móstoles, Madrid
ROC HM Madrid Río
- Calle de Cobos de Segovia, 4, 28005, Arganzuela neighborhood, Madrid.
ROC HM Rivas
- Avenida de José Hierro, 94, 28521, Rivas-Vaciamadrid, Madrid.
ROC HM New Bethlehem
- José Silva Street, 7, 28043, Ciudad Lineal district, Madrid
ROC HM New North
- Calle del Marojal, 2, 28050, Las Tablas neighborhood, Fuencarral-El Pardo district, Madrid.
ROC Polyclinic HM Moraleja
- Paseo de Alcobendas, 10, 28109, Alcobendas, Madrid.
Our centers
urology
We treat our patients at the ROC Chamberí clinic and in the HM Hospitals network of centers in Madrid: Sanchinarro, Montepríncipe, Madrid Río, Rivas, Puerta del Sur, Nuevo Belén, Policlínico HM Moraleja and Nuevo Norte.
ROC Chamberí
- Paseo del General Martínez Campos, 17 – 1 B, 28010, Madrid
Coming soon
ROC Bernabéu
-
Basilica Street, 20, 28020,
Madrid
ROC HM Sanchinarro
- Calle de Oña, 10, 28050, Sanchinarro neighborhood, Madrid.
ROC HM Montepríncipe
- Avenida de Montepríncipe, 25, 28660, Boadilla del Monte, Madrid.
ROC HM South Gate
- Avenida de Carlos V, 70, 28938, Móstoles, Madrid
ROC HM Madrid Río
- Calle de Cobos de Segovia, 4, 28005, Arganzuela neighborhood, Madrid.
ROC HM Rivas
- Avenida de José Hierro, 94, 28521, Rivas-Vaciamadrid, Madrid.
ROC HM New Bethlehem
- José Silva Street, 7, 28043, Ciudad Lineal district, Madrid
ROC HM New North
- Calle del Marojal, 2, 28050, Las Tablas neighborhood, Fuencarral-El Pardo district, Madrid.
ROC Polyclinic HM Moraleja
- Paseo de Alcobendas, 10, 28109, Alcobendas, Madrid.
We left very happy with the doctor-patient relationship
The experience of
our patients
Our patients' trust reflects our commitment to providing excellent, personalized, and attentive urological care. Every experience motivates us to continue improving and offering the care and support each patient needs.
Excellent urological clinic due to the professionals who work there.
A highly professional clinic, with a very high scientific level and advanced technology. They helped me solve my urological problem.
I can only say one thing, the urology girls are the best you can find in this...
I want to express my gratitude to the Roc team, especially Dr. David Carracedo, for their professionalism, the...
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I've been coming to the Urology department at HM Monteprincipe for a long time and I'm very happy with the care I receive from...
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