Inguinal Hernia Repair

Inguinal hernia repair refers to a surgical procedure to correct a hernia that has developed in the groin. When such hernias occur in adults, they can sometimes be pushed back in (or “reduced”) without surgical intervention or negative symptoms (though they will not resolve on their own). But when this kind of hernia occurs in a young child, surgery is usually needed to mitigate the risk of strangulation – a dangerous situation in which a portion of the intestines becomes stuck inside the hernia, resulting in a loss of blood supply to that location. Particularly in children aged six months or younger, surgical correction is a necessity. Inguinal hernias can be repaired via a traditional “open” procedure or via a minimally invasive, laparoscopic approach.