How to treat hernia in children?

Hernia in children is a relatively common disease, and it is also very harmful to the children. If it is not treated in time, it will have a great impact on the child's future life. Therefore, parents should take their children for diagnosis and treatment in time. There are many treatment methods, both non-surgical and surgical treatments. You can choose according to the doctor's diagnosis and symptomatic treatment after diagnosis.

1. Non-surgical treatment:

Generally, it targets smaller umbilical hernias with a diameter of less than 1.5 cm. Most of these umbilical hernias can heal themselves within 2 years as the abdominal wall strengthens with development. Since incarceration is rare in children, non-surgical treatment may be used first.

Elastic belly band method: This method is especially suitable for newborns and young babies. You can wear the elastic belly band during the day, loosen it when you sleep, and adjust the tightness frequently. This method is relatively simple to operate, and it can prevent the umbilical hernia from expanding excessively while ensuring the child's food intake and abdominal elasticity.

Tape sticking method: Take a medical tape about 5 cm wide and 6-10 cm longer than the waist circumference of the sick child, cut one end into a tongue shape about 5 cm in front, and make a horizontal opening in the middle of the other end to allow the opposite side to be inserted. After insertion, gauze can be padded inside the taped lower back.

When sticking, it must be moderately tight and the hernia sac must be empty or inward-recessed. Generally, it should be replaced once every 1-2 weeks and can be used continuously for 3-6 months. An elastic band (elastic band) can be added to the outside to prevent the tape from slipping off. Due to the difficulty and complications of tape application, the above operations should be performed by medical staff.

2. Surgical treatment:

If the child is over 2 years old but the hernia has not healed, surgical treatment is required.

The specific method of the operation is to make a corresponding arc-shaped incision 1-2 cm below the umbilical hernia, free the skin flap, and expose the anterior sheath of the rectus abdominis on both sides. The linea alba and hernia sac are incised, and the peritoneum is incised if the hernia sac is not intact. The intestine was returned, the hernia sac was removed, and the peritoneal resection edge was sutured at the hernia ring. The transverse abdominal fascia is sutured horizontally, and then the linea alba is sutured longitudinally to close the umbilical ring and repair the weak area of ​​the abdominal wall. Finally, the skin flap that retains the umbilicus is sutured in situ.