Hernia Repair in Children (Herniotomy)
Closing the open channel that lets bowel slide into the groin.
What is Hernia Repair in Children (Herniotomy)?
A short operation that finds the open channel running from the abdomen into the groin and ties it off. In children the muscle itself is normal, so unlike adult hernia surgery no mesh is used.
Hospital stay
Day care in most children.
Performed by
Dr. Pratheep Samraj
- Normal
- The problem
Why It Is Done
Surgery is advised in these situations. The decision is always made after examining your child, never from a description.
- A childhood hernia never closes on its own — an operation is the only treatment
- To remove the risk of bowel becoming trapped, which is highest in the first year of life
- Trusses, belts and binders do not work and are not used
Before the Day
- Repaired promptly once diagnosed, and sooner in babies
- A photograph of the bulge on your phone genuinely helps, since it often hides during the consultation
- Fasting as instructed; ex-premature babies are booked with extra monitoring
During the Operation
- General anaesthetic, usually with a block
- A small crease incision in the groin, or a laparoscopic approach through tiny openings
- The sac is separated and tied off at its neck
- Laparoscopy allows the other side to be inspected at the same time, which is why it is sometimes preferred
- Typically 30 to 45 minutes
Afterwards, and at Home
- Day care for most children; very young and ex-premature babies stay overnight
- Comfortable within two or three days
- Back to school in about a week; no cycling or rough play for two to three weeks
What Can Go Wrong
- Recurrence, which is uncommon after a properly performed childhood repair
- Swelling or bruising of the scrotum, which settles
- Injury to the vas or vessels — rare, and the reason this is done by a paediatric surgeon
- A hernia appearing on the other side later
Every operation carries risk. These are listed openly because a parent consenting to surgery is entitled to know them — not because they are expected. The surgeon will go through which of them actually apply to your child.
Common Questions
If your question is not here, send it on WhatsApp and the hospital team will answer.
Dr. Pratheep Samraj
Consultant Paediatric & Neonatal Surgeon · Palliyadi, Kanyakumari
Super-specialist surgical care for newborns, infants and children, with expertise in paediatric urology, congenital anomalies, gastro-intestinal surgery and minimally invasive surgery.
The repair is small. Waiting is what makes it big.
Herniotomy is day-care surgery and no mesh is used in children. If the swelling ever will not go back, stop waiting for the operation date and come in.
Consultation 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM & 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM · 24-hour laboratory & pharmacy
In an emergency — green vomiting in a baby, a groin swelling that will not go back, severe tummy pain, or a newborn not passing urine or meconium — come straight to the hospital or to your nearest emergency department. Do not wait for a reply to a message.