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Found that your child has a hernia? The incidence of hernia is 0.8-5% in full-term infants, increasing to almost 20% in very low birth weight or premature infants. 

Paediatric hernia surgery in Dubai has become a routine procedure with excellent outcomes. Our team understands the unique concerns parents face and provides comprehensive support throughout your child’s treatment journey.

Understand Hernia in Children

A hernia occurs when part of an organ pushes through a weak spot in the surrounding muscle or tissue wall. Most childhood hernias are completely manageable with proper medical care. They are most common in the abdomen, groin, and upper thigh. Sometimes these areas don’t strengthen properly as children grow, creating opportunities for hernias to develop. Parents often worry if something went wrong during pregnancy, but hernias occur due to normal developmental variations – nothing you could have prevented. Common symptoms are a visible lump, pain, and discomfort, particularly during straining or heavy lifting. The treatment varies, from watchful waiting to surgical repair, depending on the size and severity of the hernia.

Hernias

How We Diagnose the Condition

Our experienced paediatric surgeon in Dubai can usually identify a hernia through a simple physical examination. The telltale sign is a characteristic bulge that becomes more prominent when your child coughs, cries, or strains. You might notice the bulge disappears when your child relaxes or lies down.

Most of the time, we don’t need additional tests like X-rays or ultrasounds. The clinical examination provides sufficient information to make an accurate diagnosis and plan appropriate treatment.

Treatment Options Available

  • Non-Surgical Management: Watchful waiting works well for many umbilical hernias in younger children. Since the abdominal opening continues closing naturally during the first few years of life, we often recommend monitoring the hernia until your child reaches 2-3 years old. Many umbilical hernias close completely on their own during this time.
  • Surgical Management: Surgical repair becomes necessary when hernias persist beyond the toddler years, cause discomfort, or interfere with daily activities. Our paediatric hernia treatment in Dubai follows internationally recognised protocols, ensuring your child receives world-class care.

We specialise in paediatric laparoscopic surgery in Dubai, when appropriate, though most childhood hernias are still repaired using traditional open techniques. The choice depends on your child’s specific situation and our surgeon’s recommendation.

What Surgery Involves?

The procedure typically takes about an hour under general anaesthesia. Most children go home the same day, though occasionally an overnight stay is recommended. Before surgery, your child needs to avoid food and drinks for about 6 hours (breast milk for 4 hours).

During umbilical hernia repair, our paediatric hernia surgeon in Dubai makes a small incision near the belly button, gently pushes any protruding tissue back into place, and closes the opening with stitches. For epigastric hernias, we mark the area beforehand since the bulge might become less visible under anaesthesia.

We use dissolvable stitches and special tape strips to close the skin, sometimes adding medical glue for extra security. Your child won’t need stitch removal appointments since everything dissolves naturally over time.

What Happens After the Operation?

After surgery, children recover in the ward and usually go home the same day. Key points for aftercare include:

  • Give paracetamol as needed for discomfort
  • Encourage fluid intake
  • Avoid rough play for at least a week
  • Keep the wound dry for two days, then showers are permitted
  • Stitches will dissolve on their own

Need expert follow-up care? Visit our paediatric hernia surgeon in Dubai for continued support post-surgery.

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Comprehensive Paediatric Surgical Care

Beyond standard hernia repairs, we also provide congenital diaphragmatic hernia surgery in Dubai for complex cases. Our team’s expertise covers the full spectrum of paediatric surgical conditions.

Ready to discuss your child's hernia treatment?

Contact our caring team today to schedule a consultation and learn more about our comprehensive paediatric hernia surgery in Dubai services.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Whom should we consult if we have symptoms of a hernia?

Start with your regular paediatrician, who can confirm the diagnosis and refer you to a qualified paediatric hernia surgeon in Dubai if treatment is needed. Don’t hesitate to seek evaluation if you notice any unusual bulges in your child’s abdomen.

2. What are the symptoms of a hernia in a child?

The most obvious indication is a soft bulge that could be seen when your child coughs, cries, or strains. In some cases, there could be mild discomfort or pain in the area, particularly when the child engages in some physical activity. The bulge often goes away once your child is relaxed and calm.

3. What causes a hernia in babies?

Hernias in babies result from incomplete development of the abdominal wall muscles. However, these weak points are present from birth stages but may not be evident until your kid is grown up and more active.

4. What are the dangers of a hernia?

The majority of hernias in childhood are harmless and do not need urgent care. But in rare cases, the protruding tissue can become trapped and lose its blood supply. This condition is also known as strangulation and requires urgent medical attention.

5. Is hernia a major surgery in children?

Hernia surgery for kids in Dubai is considered a routine, minimally invasive procedure with excellent success rates and quick recovery times.

6. What can happen to a Hernia?

Without treatment, hernias typically become larger and more noticeable over time. They don’t heal on their own (except for some umbilical hernias in very young children) and may eventually cause discomfort or complications.