CLINICAL AND SURGICAL EVALUATION OF INGUINAL HERNIA IN CHILDREN

Abstract

Inguinal hernia is one of the most common conditions in the pediatric population, with a considerable incidence in children. It is a protrusion of a portion of the intestine or abdominal tissue through the inguinal ring, which is an anatomical structure in the groin region. This condition can cause discomfort, pain, and potentially serious complications if not diagnosed and treated properly. The clinical and surgical evaluation of inguinal hernia in children is of paramount importance, since early and appropriate approaches can prevent complications and ensure the well-being of pediatric patients. This summary aims to provide essential information on the topic, highlighting the relevance of evaluating inguinal hernia in children. Objective: to analyze the current approach to the clinical and surgical evaluation of inguinal hernia in children, with a focus on identifying best practices, the most effective surgical techniques, and the challenges associated with diagnosis and treatment in pediatric patients. Methodology: to conduct this review, the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) checklist was used. The search for scientific articles and relevant studies was carried out in four databases: PubMed, Scielo, Web of Science, considering a period of publication in the last 10 years. Five descriptors were used for the searches: "inguinal hernia", "children", "clinical evaluation", "surgical treatment" and "complications". Inclusion Criteria: studies that address inguinal hernia in children, articles that describe clinical and surgical evaluation, publications in English, Portuguese and Spanish. Exclusion Criteria: studies in adults or animals, articles without peer review, studies focusing exclusively on rare or extremely specific complications. Results: the systematic review selected 15 articles. The results highlighted the importance of early identification of the hernia, based on clinical symptoms and physical examinations, followed by surgical treatment to prevent long-term complications. Several surgical techniques have been explored, including the laparoscopic approach, which has proven beneficial in many pediatric cases. Furthermore, management challenges in cases of recurrent hernias and post-surgical complications were addressed. Conclusion: clinical and surgical evaluation of inguinal hernia in children is essential to ensure early diagnosis and adequate treatment. This systematic literature review highlighted the importance of effective clinical assessment strategies, improved surgical techniques, and approaches to prevent complications in pediatric patients with inguinal hernia. Current research provides a comprehensive overview of best practices and challenges related to this topic, contributing to the continuous improvement of child health care.