What Is an Inguinal Hernia?

An inguinal hernia is a soft lump or bulge that appears in your child’s groin area. It may be more visible when your child cries, coughs, or strains — and often disappears when they relax. This condition occurs when a portion of the intestine or abdominal tissue slips through a small opening in the lower abdomen.

Why Does It Happen?

Before birth, a natural tunnel exists in the groin area that usually closes on its own. When it doesn’t, abdominal contents can pass through and form a visible lump. This can occur in baby boys, baby girls (involving the ovary), and older children after physical activity. It’s a developmental issue, not caused by injury or parenting.

What to Look For

Boys:
- Soft lump in the groin or scrotum
- Visible during crying or straining

Girls:
- Bulge near the vaginal area
- Sometimes mistaken for a lymph node

Older Children:
- Intermittent bulge after exercise
- Groin discomfort or tightness

Seek urgent attention if the lump becomes hard, red, or your child is vomiting — this may be a strangulated hernia.

Treatment: Laparoscopic (Keyhole) Repair

Surgery is the only cure for inguinal hernias. At our clinic, we use laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery — a minimally invasive technique that is safe, effective, and allows fast recovery.

Laparoscopic vs. Open Surgery

Feature	Laparoscopic (Keyhole)	Open Surgery
Incision	Tiny (<1 cm), 3 small cuts	Larger single incision
Pain & Recovery	Less pain, faster recovery	More discomfort, slower recovery
Cosmetic Result	Almost invisible scars	Visible groin scar
Both Sides Checked	Yes during same procedure	Often missed
Hospital Stay	Home same day	Usually day care

After Surgery

Most children can go home the same day. They usually return to normal activity within 3–5 days. We recommend avoiding rough play for about 2 weeks.

Why Early Surgery Is Important

Hernias will not resolve on their own. If left untreated, they may become stuck (incarcerated) or cut off blood flow to the intestine or ovary (strangulated). Early surgery is safe, planned, and prevents emergency complications.

What Parents Say

"We were so anxious, but Dr. Daniel explained everything clearly. The keyhole surgery was smooth, and my son was back to normal in just a few days. Thank you!" – A. Lim, Kuala Lumpur.