Inguinal hernia in DS 3.7

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Hi - my older DS has just been diagnosed with an inguinal hernia and the doctor wants to operate to repair it. I am nervous and anxious about him undergoing a general anaesthetic. The doctor was very sure that an operation was needed and was dismissive of leaving it to see if it gets any better etc. It is causing my DS no pain or discomfort and might never develop into anything serious.
I'm not sure if I am over-reacting and being a bit pfb about it! I understand that inguinal hernias are quite common esp in boys so wondered if any MNers had any experience of this?

TIA

Bumping for you.

DS1 had this at 3yo. he had op and was fine - took about 1hr to do. I was a nervous wreck he . Inguinal hernias are bowel poking out of stomach wall they dont cause pain initially but have the potential for bowel to twist or become obstructed. This is serious and requires emergency surgery. Doctor should have explained this to you and not just dismissed your concerns. If its left it will get worse.

Anyway DS had day surgery and was home same day I think he was a bit stiff the next couple of days but nothing traumatic. Hope this helps.

Thanks for your reply. The doctor did say that there is a risk of the hernia getting stuck and then it being a medical emergency and quite serious. It's just difficult to imagine my healthy and fit DS needing surgery when he's not ill. I'm beginning to feel slightly calmer about it...

Hi

My DD had two inguinal hernias repaired as an emergency at 10 weeks old. The op had been scedueled for the following week but then ended up being brought forward as one of the hernias was twisted. However, when i say emergency it was not an awfully drastic situation- we arrived in hosptial at about 10am and the op was done about 4pm- TBH I was just releived by then that they were getting on with it!

The op took about an hour and DD (Who had been very tiny at birth and still only weighed about 6lbs at the time) was absolutely fine afterwards- you'd hardly have known that there was anything wrong. We stayed in overnight but just because of her age/weight etc as she had to be monitered for longer afterwards.

The doc is right inguinal hernias do need surgical repair, as opposed to umbilical hernias (which can often improve by themselves I believe).

Try not to panic too much as it was honestly very straightforward and the hospital staff were all wonderful.

Good Luck