Inguinal Hernias and Undescended Testes
Inguinal hernias and undescended testes are common conditions affecting pediatric patients, necessitating specialized surgical intervention. The Division of Paediatric Surgery & Paediatric Urology at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) in Abu Dhabi plays a crucial role in the management of these conditions.
What are Inguinal Hernias?
Definition and Prevalence
An inguinal hernia occurs when tissue, such as part of the intestine, protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. This condition is particularly prevalent in infants and children, often diagnosed through physical examination and history taking. It is essential to repair inguinal hernias electively unless complications like incarceration or strangulation arise
Surgical Repair
The surgical approach for repairing an inguinal hernia typically involves an open or laparoscopic technique, depending on the patient's specific needs. The goal is to return the protruding tissue to its proper place and reinforce the abdominal wall to prevent recurrence.
Undescended Testes: A Common Pediatric Issue
Overview of Cryptorchidism
Undescended testes, medically known as cryptorchidism, refers to a condition where one or both testes fail to descend into the scrotum. This condition affects approximately 3% of term infants and up to 30% of preterm infants
Early diagnosis is critical as undescended testes are associated with increased risks of infertility and testicular cancer later in life.
Surgical Management
The standard treatment for undescended testes is orchidopexy, which involves surgically repositioning the testis into the scrotum. The procedure can be performed using various approaches:
- Inguinoscrotal Approach: This traditional method involves an incision in the groin to mobilize the testis, ligate the processus vaginalis, and fix the testis through a scrotal incision
- Laparoscopic Techniques: For impalpable testes, laparoscopic orchidopexy is preferred, allowing for minimally invasive correction
The Role of Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City
Expert Care in Pediatric Surgery
At SSMC, the Division of Paediatric Surgery & Paediatric Urology offers comprehensive care for children with inguinal hernias and undescended testes. Led by experienced specialists like Dr. Mohammad Ilyas Bader, the division employs advanced surgical techniques tailored to each child's needs
Multidisciplinary Approach
The management of these conditions often requires a multidisciplinary approach involving pediatricians, surgeons, and urologists to ensure optimal outcomes for patients. The team at SSMC is dedicated to providing high-quality surgical care while minimizing discomfort and promoting quick recovery for young patients.
Inguinal hernias and undescended testes are significant health concerns in pediatrics that require timely intervention. Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City stands out for its commitment to delivering expert surgical care through innovative techniques and a patient-centered approach. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are vital in preventing long-term complications associated with these conditions.
Why choose SSMC?
The Division of Paediatric Surgery & Paediatric Urology at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC), Abu Dhabi, hosts a multidisciplinary team comprising American and British board-certified surgeons equipped with the expertise to treat and manage a broad spectrum of paediatric surgical and urological conditions. State-of-the-art paediatric operating rooms, alongside advanced minimally invasive suites, provide the perfect atmosphere for optimal surgical care of our paediatric and neonatal patients. They are equipped with highly advanced, high-definition imaging technology, advanced image capture and routing capabilities in an ergonomically efficient environment. SSMC offers one of the region’s most advanced Neonatal & Paediatric Intensive Care units, with a highly qualified team of health professionals capable of providing premium quality care. Our paediatrics surgeons provide a range of surgical and urological services using minimally invasive approaches, including:
- General paediatric surgery
- Hepatobiliary paediatric surgery
- Pancreatic surgery
- Hernia repair
- Paediatric thoracic surgery, including video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)
- Neonatal surgery
- Paediatric urology
- Diagnostic and therapeutic upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopies (procedure to view the body internally)
- Diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopies (inspection of the lungs and air passages)
- Paediatric vascular access
- Appendectomy (removal of the appendix)
- Fundoplication (surgery to treat stomach acid reflux)
- Ureteric reimplantation (surgery of the ureters)
- Lung resections (partial or full removal of the lung)
- Pyeloplasty (surgical reconstruction of the kidney)
- Endourology (inspection and surgery of the urinary tract)
As we continue to strive to provide the best of care to our patients, our paediatric surgical team works closely in a multidisciplinary approach with other divisions, including Paediatrics, Neonatology, Radiology, and other relevant departments, to provide nationally and regionally renowned care in the management of complex paediatrics surgical conditions.
