Hernia in children: operation, consequences, causes

Unfortunately, in modern pediatrics it is enoughis often diagnosed as a hernia in children. Sometimes an operation is the only possible way of treatment. Of course, this pathology causes great concern for parents. That is why many are interested in questions about what a hernia is and what the mechanisms of its formation are. How dangerous can an ailment and what treatments modern medicine offers? What are the causes of the development of pathology and what external features is it accompanied? The answers to these questions will be interesting and useful to many readers.

What is a hernia?

This pathology is considered sufficientcommon in pediatric surgery. Inguinal hernia is a protrusion of the contents of the abdominal cavity outward through the inguinal canal. Internal organs, for example the loop of the small intestine, the ovaries, the large omentum, bulge through the muscles of the abdominal wall.

It is worth saying that this pathology is more commonare diagnosed in newborn males, and premature infants are at increased risk. In most cases, the hernia can be diagnosed fairly quickly - it has the appearance of a slight swelling in the groin area, with a more prominent hernial bag becoming upright. The hernia responds well to treatment, especially if it was diagnosed at an early stage. Nevertheless, it is worthwhile to study in more detail the causes and symptoms of this pathology.

The main reasons for the development of inguinal hernia in a child

Many parents ask a question about why a child has a hernia. Reasons can in fact be very different. Here is a list of the most common risk factors:

• Quite often the cause is underdevelopment of the abdominal wall.
• The risk factors include physicalovervoltage. Naturally, when it comes to a child, the tension is not related to physical activity or lifting of gravity. With weakness of the abdominal wall, protrusion of the abdominal cavity organs may appear as a result of severe coughing or vomiting.
• Sometimes a hernia is the result of a trauma to the abdominal wall, including the period of intrauterine development.
• This pathology can be the result of excess weight in the child.

Pathogenesis of the disease

As already mentioned, a hernia is more often diagnosed inboys, which is associated with the peculiarities of anatomical development. Initially, the fetal testicles are located in the kidney area. Closer to the birth, they descend into the scrotum, carrying a part of the peritoneum behind them. Thus, a kind of pocket is formed in the scrotum, the basis of which is connective tissue. Normally, the pocket is overgrown by the time of birth. But sometimes this does not happen for one reason or another. The presence of a pouch increases the likelihood of bulging internal organs.

In addition, the inguinal canal in men is muchlonger than in women, which also increases the risk of developing a hernia. As for girls, their pathology is associated, as a rule, with the weakness of connective tissue, as well as physical overstrain. It is worth noting that the hernia can be congenital or begin to develop after the birth of the child. The protrusions may appear with one (more often with the right) and with both sides. Sometimes, children are diagnosed with a post-operative inguinal hernia, although in reality cases of relapse with a properly performed procedure are minimal.

What symptoms are accompanied by the disease?

Sazu is worth noting that the signs directlydepend on the degree of protrusion. As a rule, a hernia is a small, oval, sometimes triangular-shaped sac, located either above the pubis or on the outer side of the pubic bone. The bulge tends to become more prominent in the upright position. Hernia also increases with an increase in intra-abdominal pressure, which is observed, for example, during crying or crying.

Sometimes it causes severe paroxysmal pain. Soreness makes the child restless, he often cries, does not sleep well. Symptoms include nausea, loss of appetite, and vomiting.

If we are talking about boys, the inguinal hernia is able to shift towards the scrotum (it is called oblique hernia). In such cases, there may be an increase in the scrotum, swelling in the crotch area.

Now you know how to define an inguinal herniain children. The operation is not necessary in all cases. Nevertheless, if you notice disturbing symptoms, then the baby should be shown to the surgeon without delay. The sooner a diagnosis is made and treatment is started, the less chance of complications.

Complications arising on the background of a hernia

In fact, inguinal hernia is a problem enoughserious. If the child is not provided with qualified medical care, then over time the protrusion of the abdominal organs becomes more pronounced. Against the background of pathology, a violation of the normal blood circulation is possible, which leads to a delay or improper development of organs. In boys, the consequence of a hernia may be the pathology of the reproductive system.

However, the most dangerous complication of the inguinalhernia is its infringement. A similar situation is associated with tissue pinching and impaired normal blood circulation in a particular organ. In turn, this situation is fraught with tissue necrosis, inflammation, blood contamination, etc.

Infringement and its symptoms

Pinch hernia - a critical situation, especiallyif we are talking about a small child. In such cases, surgery is a must. It is possible to provoke the pinching of the hernia with an increase in abdominal pressure, which, for example, is observed with strong crying and crying, physical exertion, coughing, vomiting, etc.

To determine the presence of infringement is quite simple. The hernial sac becomes more convex and firm to the touch. Palpation causes pain. The child becomes restless, often crying, screaming. Often the skin around the hernia becomes reddish. Along with this, systemic signs appear, in particular, increased body temperature, fatigue, loss of appetite, vomiting, drowsiness, irritability. If you notice similar symptoms in your baby, you should immediately take him to the hospital, since the lack of qualified help can lead to mass necrosis, pain shock, etc.

Modern diagnostic methods

It is possible to suspect the presence of pathology duringgeneral inspection. The hernial sac becomes visible in an upright position, as well as during coughing, crying, etc. On palpation, the doctor may find a soft, elastic mass. By the way, sometimes a hernia can be adjusted - put the internal organs back inside. Naturally, the procedure should be carried out by an expert, and not all bulges can be manipulated. If inside the bag contains part of the intestine, you can hear the characteristic rumbling sound.

In the future, as a rule, an ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity or pelvic organs (in girls) is carried out. Only then can the doctor decide whether a hernia operation is necessary.

In the event that a specialist has decided toconducting a surgical procedure requires a more detailed medical examination, which includes general blood and urine tests, ESR analysis and blood clotting. Sometimes additional irrigation is performed - X-ray examination of the intestine with a special contrast agent. As a rule, barium suspension is used as a contrast. The procedure allows to determine the presence of pathologies or abnormalities in the development of the large intestine.

Are there effective methods of conservative treatment?

Immediately it should be said that the conservativetherapy is possible only in cases where the pathology was detected in the early stages. According to statistics, the disease in newborns can sometimes be eliminated without surgical procedures.

Quite often, doctors recommend wearingspecial inguinal bandage. It is worn after the hernia has been repositioned. This device supports the abdominal wall and keeps the internal organs from bulging. As a rule, the inguinal bandage is worn during the daytime. However, it can be left overnight if the child, for example, suffers from a night cough.

Bandage is not an alternative to surgicalintervention, but only a temporary measure. A small patient is also prescribed regular massage and special therapeutic exercises. These procedures are aimed at strengthening the abdominal wall. Even if the therapy gives a positive result, the child’s condition must be carefully monitored, since the likelihood of relapse is high in the first 4 years of life.

Inguinal hernia in children: surgery

Sometimes without surgerythis pathology is simply not enough. This procedure is usually performed at the age of 6-12 months. Its essence is quite simple. With the help of special tools, the doctor separates the hernial bag and the abdominal cavity. At the same time it is necessary to ensure that the internal organs remain in place. Surgical intervention is performed under general anesthesia and lasts about 30 minutes. This is what an inguinal hernia operation looks like. Reviews indicate that the procedure gives really good results.

Naturally, in this case it is extremely important to findgood surgeon. Despite the fact that the technique in this case is relatively simple, the doctor must have certain skills. Sometimes the only way an inguinal hernia is treated is by surgery. The cost of the procedure is not so high (from 18,000 to 48,000 rubles), and it is carried out in many hospitals.

Laparoscopy as an alternative to full-scale surgery

Sometimes as an alternative to the traditionalFor surgery, the doctor recommends a procedure called “laparoscopy of an inguinal hernia”. The technique of conducting such a manipulation is significantly different. This is a closed operation, which is carried out with the help of special equipment. Hernia removal occurs through three small punctures in the skin. After that, plastic tissue is also carried out with the installation of a special strengthening mesh, which helps prevent the development of relapse in the future.

Laparoscopy of inguinal hernia has itsadvantages. In particular, this procedure is less traumatic, and the rehabilitation period is more easily tolerated by the child. On the other hand, this type of operation is not possible in all cases. For example, it cannot be prescribed for bilateral hernia. Since laparoscopy requires special equipment, its cost is higher, and finding a clinic offering this service is much harder.

Is it possible to folk treatment of inguinal hernia?

As already mentioned, modern medicinesuggests several ways to eliminate the problem of inguinal hernia in children. Operation, plastic, wearing a bandage - all this helps to cope with the pathology and avoid unpleasant consequences in the future. Nevertheless, some parents are interested in the question of what means traditional medicine offers and whether it is advisable to use them.

Immediately it is worth noting that home remediesIn no case can not be used in the infringement of a hernia or the presence of other complications On the other hand, in the early stages of the development of the disease, you can try out some recipes from traditional healers. For example, daily compresses from freshly prepared broth of wormwood are considered effective.

Sometimes doctors recommend making compresses frombrine sauerkraut or applied to the hernia sheets. In addition, you can take decoctions of the leaves of the bone, gooseberry, larch bark, infusion of cornflower flowers. Once again, it is worth recalling that these funds cannot replace full-fledged therapy, and it is possible to use them for treating a child only with the permission of a physician.