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A hernia means that something is being pushed through a hole. During the last few months of pregnancy, the male baby’s testes which sit close by the kidney begin to descend. They pass via a hole or canal in the front wall of the abdomen, down in the pubic or inguinal region (as it is called) and slip into the scrotum, the sac on each side of the penis, where they remain for the rest of the individual’s life. During this journey, they drag with them a thin sheet of tissue which is continuous with the lining of the abdominal cavity. Normally the canal through which they pass closes up before birth, and the lining, called the tunica vaginalis, seals off around the testes and the rest also simply seals off.
Inguinal hernias
Occasionally, things do not go as planned. The tiny canal may not close off. Also, the lining may not seal off. This means that both are open. The result is that the contents of the abdominal cavity may be forced through the canal into the scrotal sac. In minor cases, this will appear as a bulge in the groin. It is usually worse with standing, coughing or straining (for example, when a bowel action is occurring). Often the material flows back and forth through the hole, vanishing if the boy lies down. But sometimes in bigger hernias, the material may penetrate right down to the scrotal sac, and it may stay there.
The main fear is that it may gradually swell and be trapped by the neck of the canal which suddenly becomes tight. If it is a piece of bowel, a sudden surgical emergency called a bowel obstruction may occur. Food is no longer able to pass along the bowel. The blood supply may be cut off. Unless there is an operation immediately, the bowel may turn gangrenous and the boy become acutely and dangerously ill.
Incarceration is the term given to a hernia that will not easily slip back into the body. Obstruction occurs when the passage of food is blocked. Both are serious and need prompt medical attention.
If there is a visible inguinal hernia on the left side, there is a 50 per cent chance there will also be one on the right side, even though it may have not yet put in appearance. On the other hand, for some strange reason, if there is a hernia on the right side, there is only a 10 per cent chance that a hernial sac will be present on the left side too! Don’t ask why—nobody knows. It’s just one of those strange quirks of life.
Hernias can also occur in females, and are related to development of the ovaries and their descent. They are most likely to be present on both sides if present.
Treatment of inguinal hernias
There is only one form of treatment for hernias, and that is by surgery. This is usually carried out at a time when the child is in good health. The hernia is reduced (as the doctors say)—that means the contents are pushed back into the abdominal cavity where they belong. The canal is stitched up securely, and usually recurrences do not take place. It is a successful operation and may prevent serious consequences.
If complications have already occurred, and the bowel has become incarcerated and strangulation (obstruction) taken place, it may be a matter of urgency to operate before serious irreversible damage occurs with the bowel.
Sometimes incarceration can be corrected manually by pushing the bowel back towards the abdominal cavity. With strangulation, the abdomen becomes distended, and there is vomiting and the signs of bowel obstruction. Surgery may quickly relieve the symptoms and the condition.
Incarceration is fairly common in children under the age of one year. Strangulation tends to follow incarceration. Any lump noted in the groin should be reported to the doctor promptly. Do not leave it there, hoping it will vanish. Most cases will not, and a serious emergency may occur when most inopportune.
Scrotal swellings (hydrocele)
A swelling in the scrotum is fairly common in babies, particularly the newborn. Fortunately, most disappear on their own accord by the age of six months. Some persist, or may recur during childhood.
The cause is similar to hernias. Instead of sealing off at birth, the tunica vaginalis which surrounds the testes still communicates with the abdominal cavity. The connection may only be minimal, but it allows fluid to accumulate in the scrotum, and the swelling may be large. If a torch is shone into the swelling, it appears as a large fluid-filled bag. Sizes may vary tremendously.
Treatment of hydrocele
Treatment must be carried out by the doctor and the sooner this is done the better. If left, pressure may damage the testes. Simple removal of fluid by a needle will give temporary relief. But in any case that does persist, surgical intervention will bring about a rapid and complete cure. It is not a major operation.
Umbilical (navel) hernia
Another fairly common site for hernias is the navel, referred to then as an umbilical hernia. This means that the umbilical ring has not closed up at birth. Before birth, the baby received nutritional needs and oxygen via the umbilical vessels attached to the placenta. This large organ (which became the afterbirth at the time of confinement) was firmly secured to the side wall of the mother’s womb. It had access to the mother’s blood supply, and here exchanges of food, oxygen and other vital needs took place.
Soon after birth, when the umbilical vessels became redundant and oxygen was received via the baby’s own lungs and food via the baby’s own mouth, the umbilical ring usually closed down. Occasionally this did not happen. So, with a persisting hole present (covered only by an outer layer of skin and some fat), with any straining of the abdomen the contents tend to be forced into the weak area. Therefore, a swelling may occur at the navel.
This is most evident if the child is straining (having a bowel action, or trying to pass urine, or crying or yelling). In fact, the hernia can sometimes become large. Some fearful parents are terrified lest the whole thing explode with an almighty bang. I assure you this never happens. On other occasions, the covering can look awfully thin, and even turn a bit blue.
However, none of the hazardous events occur as might take place with inguinal hernias. No incarceration of the bowel contents, no strangulation, no bowel obstruction. These are seldom if ever reported.
Treatment of umbilical hernias
The treatment consists of not treating it. The majority are cared for by the body itself. The umbilical ring invariably closes down of its own accord, with no interference.
The old ideas of taping the sides together is worthless. Do not shove a marble or a two cent coin into the hole and tape it there either. This idea belongs to the Dark Ages. It has no place in modern medical care, so do not try it.
If the condition seems to be getting worse (which is unusual but occasionally happens), see the doctor. Some instances need a surgical repair. But be directed by the doctor in these matters, and follow the doctor’s advice. The child may be referred to a paediatric surgeon for further investigation.
Other hernias may occasionally occur in other regions, but they are relatively uncommon and unimportant. However, any abnormal swelling in any part of the body (abdomen or elsewhere) should be examined by the doctor. This is a general rule for all parts of the body.
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