Hydrocele and Hernia Treatment for Children in Johor Bahru and Batu Pahat, Johor
Swelling in your child’s groin or scrotum, assessed and treated by consultant urologist Dato’ Dr Azhar Amir Hamzah, who is trained in paediatric urology.
What are hydrocele and hernia in children?
A hydrocele is fluid around the testis that makes the scrotum swell. An inguinal hernia is a bulge in the groin where part of the bowel pushes through a small opening. In children, both happen because a small channel that should close before birth stays open. Hydroceles in babies often settle by themselves, while hernias usually need a small operation.
Signs
- Painless swelling of the scrotum, often bigger at the end of the day (hydrocele)
- A bulge in the groin that appears when crying or straining (hernia)
- Swelling that goes down when the child is lying down
- A hard, painful swelling that does not go down: seek urgent care
Common causes
- A channel from the tummy to the scrotum that has not closed after birth
- More common in babies born early
How Dato’ Dr Azhar assesses and treats them
Dato’ Dr Azhar examines your child and may use an ultrasound to confirm what the swelling is. A hydrocele in a baby is usually watched until about one to two years of age, as many go away. A hernia, or a hydrocele that does not settle, is repaired with a short operation through a small cut in the groin to close the channel. Most children go home the same day.
When to see a urologist
- Any swelling in the groin or scrotum
- A hydrocele that is still present after age one to two
- A swelling that changes size
- A painful, hard swelling with vomiting or crying: seek urgent care
FAQs
Will my baby’s hydrocele go away?
Many do by age one to two. If it remains or is getting bigger, surgery is advised.
Is a hernia in a child dangerous?
It can become stuck, which is an emergency, so hernias in children are usually repaired soon after diagnosis.
How long is recovery?
Most children are back to normal play within a few days.