General, Minimally Invasive & Thoracic Surgery

Instructions for Your Child after Repair of an Inguinal Hernia

Dressing:

Your child will either have:

• Small white bandages (Steri-strips®) – These will usually fall off in 1-3 weeks.
• Clear plastic dressing (Collodion®) – This may begin to fall off as early as the evening after surgery.
• White gauze dressing covered by clear plastic (Tegaderm®) – Remove this dressing after 3 days.

Stitches:

 Stitches hold the incision together.

• They are under the skin; they do not need to be removed.
• The body will absorb them.

Bath:

• Keep the dressing dry for 2-3 days – Sponge bathing is okay.
• After 2-3 days the child should have tub baths in warm water.

Activity:

Today:

• Your child should rest quietly for the next 24 hours or have quiet supervised play.
• Your child may be unsteady on his/her feet.
• Naps may be off schedule today. They may be longer or shorter than usual.

After today:

• No strenuous activity such as bike riding, gymnastics, contact sports, martial arts or school gym until you check with the doctor at the follow-up appointment.

Diet:

• Your child may eat or drink as usual.
• If vomiting occurs, do not give your child anything to eat or drink for 2 hours.   Then offer small amounts of clear liquids, half strength formula or half strength juice until your child does not vomit any more. Then slowly start on their normal diet.

Pain:

• Your child may have a prescription for pain medication such as Tylenol® with Codeine. If the incision remains uncomforatble use the prescription medication according to instructions.
• Your child may take Tylenol® (acetaminophen) or Motrin® (ibuprofen) for discomfort if the pain is mild.