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After a laparoscopic surgery for a groin hernia, it is common for children to have pain and discomfort.

They may also have:

1. Soreness, swelling, and bruising around the cuts that were made in the tummy.
2. Swelling of the scrotum in males.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

1. Give your child medicines only as instructed.
2. You may need to take steps to help treat or prevent trouble pooing (constipation), such as:
3. Giving medicines to help your child poo.
4. Giving foods high in fibre, like beans, whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables.
5. Having your child drink more fluids as instructed.
6. Ask the healthcare provider if it is safe for your child to drive or use machines while taking their medicine.
7. Do not give your child aspirin. It can make your child very sick.

Activity

1. Have your child rest as instructed.
2. Have your child get up to take short walks many times during the day. This helps your child breathe better and keeps their blood flowing. Help your child if they feel weak or unsteady.
3. Ask if it is OK for your child to lift.
4. Do not let your child take baths, swim, or use a hot tub until you are told it is OK. Ask how to bathe your child.
5. Ask what things are safe for your child to do at home. Ask when your child can go back to work or school.

Wound care

Take care of your child's cuts from surgery as instructed. Make sure you:

1. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after you change your child's bandage. If you cannot use soap and water, use hand sanitiser.
2. Change your child's bandage.
3. Leave stitches or skin glue alone.
4. Leave tape strips alone unless you are told to take them off. You may trim the edges of the tape strips if they curl up.

           Check the area around your child's cuts every day for signs of infection. Check for:

1.  More redness, swelling or pain.
2.  More fluid or blood.
3. Warmth.
4.  Pus or a bad smell.

Pain management

Use ice or an ice pack as instructed.

1.  Place a towel between your child's skin and the ice.
2. Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times a day.

If your child's skin turns red, take off the ice right away to prevent skin damage. The risk of damage is higher if your child cannot feel pain, heat, or cold.

General instructions

1. Do not let your child smoke, vape, or use nicotine or tobacco. Doing this can slow healing.
2. Do not smoke or vape around your child.

Your child's healthcare provider may give you more instructions. Make sure you know what your child can and cannot do.

Contact a healthcare provider if:

1. Your child has any signs of infection.
2. Your child's cuts break open.
3. Your child cannot pee.
4. Your child has not pooed in 2 days.
5. Your child throws up or feels like throwing up.
6. Your child gets a rash.

Contact your child's healthcare provider right away if:

1. Your baby is younger than 3 months old and has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.
2. Your child is 3 months old or older and has a temperature of 102.2°F (39°C) or higher.
3. Your child has a fever, and they look or act sick in a way that worries you.

If you cannot reach the healthcare provider, go to an urgent care or emergency room.

Get help right away if:

1. Your child has problems breathing.
2. Your child has very bad pain in their tummy.
3. Your child throws up each time they eat or drink.
4. Your child has chest pain.

These symptoms may be an emergency. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Call your local emergency services right away.

This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.