The physicians and staff of the Pediatric Urology Group evaluate and treat your child’s pediatric urological condition with the expertise of a skilled professional and the compassion of a caring parent.
Posterior Urethral Valves (PUV) Repair
Pyeloplasty, daVinci Robotic Assisted
Undescended Testis (Orchiopexy)
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Treatment
Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR) Treatment
In males, the testes. On females, the ovaries.
A fluid-filled sac surrounding the testicle that results in swelling of the scrotum.
A pair of organs on the right and left sides of the abdomen that clears poisons from the blood, regulate acid concentrate and maintain water balance in the body by excreting urine.
Any of four folds of tissue of the female external genitalia.
The female reproductive glands in a woman, located on either side of the pelvis.
The external sac, just below the penis, that contains the testicles.
The male reproductive glands located inside the scrotum, behind and below the penis.
Inguinal hernias form during normal fetal development. At about 12 to 14 weeks of gestation, the gonads (testicles or ovaries) form near the kidneys, and gradually descend through the abdomen as the baby develops. In boys, the testicles pass through an opening low in the abdomen and into the scrotum. In girls, the gonads stop near the opening and develop into ovaries.
In some children (about 5%), this opening does not close properly, potentially allowing the contents of the abdomen to travel down into the scrotum (boy) or labia (girl). Normally, the abdomen includes the intestines, ovaries and clear fluid. If abdominal organ (usually the intestines) pushes through the opening into the scrotum or labia, then an inguinal hernia has occurred. It is more common in males than females.
An inguinal hernia is a common condition of infancy and childhood, and repair is the most frequently performed general surgery in childhood. Though only 25% of hernias cause pain or discomfort, you may be able to see and feel a bulge that often occurs where the thigh and groin meet. In males, sometimes the protruding intestine enters the scrotum, causing pain and swelling.
In boys, as the testicles descends, the lining of the abdomen also drops to line the scrotum and the channel closes. But, if it remains open or reopens, fluid can descend from the abdomen to the scrotum, resulting in a condition known as hydrocele. A hydrocele can also develop due to inflammation or injury of the scrotum.
About 10% of male infants suffer from a hydrocele at birth. Most hydroceles have no symptoms, and disappear after the first year of life. In older males, it may cause discomfort due to the increased size of the scrotum.
Although many hernias are repaired by pediatric general surgeons, when an inguinal hernia exists along with a hydrocele, then a pediatric urology surgeon will perform the procedure.
If the hydrocele is large or changing size significantly, surgery is required. To make the repair, an incision is made in the scrotum. The hydrocele is cut out, removing the tissues involved in the hydrocele. If a hernia is present in addition to the hydrocele, an incision is made in the groin area. This allows repair of both conditions at the same time.
Your child will experience some discomfort after surgery that will be alleviated with pain medication. Activity will be restricted for several weeks and your child will have a follow-up visit post-operatively. It is recommended that children avoid straddling toys, like a rocking horse, for a period of time. The testicle and scrotum may be swollen for several weeks after the surgery. After surgery, less than 1% of children have a recurrence of hernia or hydrocele.