At Cook Children's, our surgeons address common and rare hernias in babies, young children and adolescents. A hernia occurs when part of an internal organ pushes through a weak spot in the surrounding muscle or tissue wall. Hernias frequently appear as a soft lump or bulge, especially when your child is crying, coughing or straining. In babies, hernias are often the result of openings in the abdominal wall that didn't fully close before birth.

What you can expect

Although some hernias may not cause discomfort, others can lead to pain or complications if left untreated. Sometimes, tissue gets trapped outside your child's body. When this happens, your child may need surgery to repair the opening in the muscle wall and return the tissue to its proper location.

Hernia repair in children is a common and safe procedure. In many cases, hernia surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning your child can go home the same day. We'll tailor the surgery, whether open or laparoscopic, to the individual child to ensure the best possible outcome. Whenever possible, we perform repairs using minimally invasive methods that result in faster recovery and less pain. There are various types of hernia repair and each treatment will be tailored to your child.

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