UChicago Medicine Comer Children's

Inguinal Hernia Surgery

Image of baby being looked at by a pediatric doctor

What is an Inguinal Hernia?

An inguinal hernia is a sac of tissue which bulges out from the abdomen in the groin. Children are born with hernias but may not have symptoms until they are older. Inguinal hernias occur more frequently in boys than in girls and is the most common type of hernia in children.

During fetal development in boys, the testicles move downward toward the scrotum through a tunnel — the processus vaginalis. After the testicles are in place, the tunnel is supposed to close and disappear. Inguinal hernias form when the processus vaginalis does not close.

Girls may also have the tunnel and when it does not close, an ovary, tubes or intestines "pop out." In boys, it may be the intestines or a testicle that "pop out."

Sometimes it is only fluid which "pops out" and then it is called a hydrocele (water sac). A hydrocele usually goes away by the time the child is 1 year old.

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Support Throughout the Inguinal Hernia Surgery Process

Our pediatric surgery care team is there for you and your child from initial diagnosis to follow-up care after the procedure.

What You Should Know Before Your Child's Inguinal Hernia Surgery

Because removal and closure of the hernia sac is a surgical procedure, it requires anesthesia. The procedure does not require a hospital stay unless your child has some additional condition which demands post-operative nursing care. Your child should not have food or drink before surgery. 

Learn More About Preparing for Your Child's Surgery

What You Should Know After Your Child's Inguinal Hernia Surgery

As soon as he or she awakens after surgery, your child will be given food and liquids. There will be small surgi-strips at the site of the surgery, and the only care needed will be to keep it dry after cleaning the incision site.

Bathing is allowed and encouraged. Pain medications are given if needed to keep your child comfortable the first day or two after surgery. Young children recover quickly and so a quieter weekend with return to school on Monday is all that is commonly required.

Learn More About Your Child's Recovery from Pediatric Surgery

Frequently Asked Questions About Inguinal Hernia Surgery

Meet Our Pediatric General Surgeons

Under the expert clinical leadership of Grace Mak, MD, our team provides the highest level of pediatric surgical care for children of all ages.

Marielena Bachier-Rodriguez, MDMarielena Bachier-Rodriguez, MD

Pediatric Surgery

Marion Henry, MD, MPHMarion Henry, MD, MPH

Pediatric Surgery

Mubina Isani, MDMubina Isani, MD

Pediatric Surgery

Brian Jones, MDBrian Jones, MD

Pediatric Surgery

Jessica J. Kandel, MDJessica J. Kandel, MD

Pediatric Surgery

Charlotte Kvasnovsky, MDCharlotte Kvasnovsky, MD

Pediatric Surgery

 Thomas K. Lee, MD Thomas K. Lee, MD

Pediatric Surgery

Deborah Loeff, MDDeborah Loeff, MD

Pediatric Surgery

Grace Mak, MDGrace Mak, MD

Pediatric Surgery

Manish Raiji, MDManish Raiji, MD

Pediatric Surgery

Carmelle Romain, MDCarmelle Romain, MD

Pediatric Surgery

Kathryn Rowland, MD, MPHSKathryn Rowland, MD, MPHS

Pediatric Surgery

Baddr Shakhsheer, MDBaddr Shakhsheer, MD

Pediatric Surgery

Bethany Slater, MDBethany Slater, MD

Pediatric Surgery

Request a Pediatric Surgery Appointment

The information you provide will enable us to assist you as efficiently as possible. A representative will contact you within one to two business days to help you schedule an appointment. 

To speak to someone directly, please call 1-773-702-6169. If you have symptoms of an urgent nature, please call your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.

 
For Referring Physicians

To refer or transfer a patient, call 877-UC-KID-MD (877-825-4363). 

 
By submitting this form you acknowledge the risk of sending this information by email and agree not to hold the University of Chicago or University of Chicago Medical Center liable for any damages you may incur as a result of the transfer or use of this information. The use or transmittal of this form does not create a physician-contact relationship. More information regarding the confidentiality of this request can be found in our Privacy Policy.

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By submitting this form you acknowledge the risk of sending this information by email and agree not to hold the University of Chicago or University of Chicago Medical Center liable for any damages you may incur as a result of the transfer or use of this information. The use or transmittal of this form does not create a physician-contact relationship. More information regarding the confidentiality of this request can be found in our Privacy Policy.