• Reference Number: HEY1090/2020
• Departments: Day Surgery (DSU), Paediatrics
• Last Updated: 17 January 2020

Introduction

This advice sheet has been produced to give parents information and advice following an Inguinal Hernia Repair. It is not meant to replace discussion between you and your child’s doctor.  If after reading it, you require further explanation please discuss this with the relevant person who has been caring for your child.

Your Child’s Consultant is _____________________________

Surgery performed by_________________________________

Should you need any further help or advice please telephone

Day Surgery Service, Monday to Friday 08.00 hours to 18.00 hours

Telephone: (01482) 675066 / 675068 / 675073. Please ask to speak to one of the Paediatric Nurses.

At other times please call Acorn Ward, Women and Children’s Hospital, HRI,

Telephone: (01482) 382609 or 382679.

Or contact the Paediatric Community Team Telephone (01482) 344077

Follow-up

The Community Children’s Team have been contacted and may visit your child at home in the weeks following surgery.  They may also contact you by phone following your child’s discharge from the Day Surgery Unit.

School / Nursery

Your child can return to school in approximately one to two weeks.  If you feel your child needs a little longer to recover we are happy for you to use your own judgement. However, your child should not take part in any physical education (PE), Games or swimming for approximately 4 – 6 weeks

After surgery

• The stitches are ‘dissolvable’ (do not need removing)
• A small dressing has been used to cover the wound
• There may be some a small amount of blood on the dressing.  This is normal but if you are concerned, please contact us
• There may be some swelling and bruising in the scrotal and inguinal area. This is not uncommon and will gradually settle.
• If swelling and significant discomfort persist please contact us
• The dressing should be left to ‘fall off’ in its own time
• Tomorrow your child may have a shower
• Your child may have a bath after 5 days.  (Do not add anything to the bath water)
• It may help if your child wears loose clothing until they feel more comfortable.

Pain relief

During the surgery it is usual for some local anaesthetic to be used which will help with pain relief after the surgery. The anaesthetist will discuss with you other pain relief options we may use during surgery. We recommend that for the first 24 ~ 48 hrs you have paracetamol and ibuprofen syrup available at home following discharge. (Ibuprofen may not be suitable for asthmatics)

After your child’s operation

The Day Surgery Unit is continually striving to improve Patient information, we would be pleased to hear from you should you have any comments or concerns.

Should you require further advice on the issues contained in this advice sheet, please do not hesitate to contact the Day Surgery Service.

Information about your child

We collect and use your child’s information to provide your child with care and treatment.  As part of your child’s care, your child’s information will be shared between members of the healthcare team, some of whom you may not meet.  Your child’s information may also be used to help train staff, to check the quality of our care, to manage and plan the health service and to help with research.  Wherever possible we use anonymous data.

We may pass on relevant information to other health or social organisations that provide your child with care.  All information is treated as strictly confidential and is not given to anyone who does not need it.  If you have any concerns please ask your doctor, or the person caring for your child.

Under the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018 we are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of any information we hold about your child. For further information visit the following page: Confidential Information about You. www.hey.nhs.uk/privacy/data-protection

If you or your child’s carer needs information about your child’s health and well-being and about your child’s care and treatment in a different format, such as large print, braille or audio, due to disability, impairment or sensory loss, please advise a member of staff and this can be arranged.