A hernia is when there is a hole or weakness in the muscle layer of the abdominal wall, which means that organs or tissues inside the abdominal cavity can protrude through the hole and cause the skin to bulge. An inguinal hernia is a hernia that occurs in the groin region, and in children, this defect is often present from the time the patient is born. This type of hernia is also one of the most common surgical conditions in children.

Surgery is necessary to treat an inguinal hernia since the intestine can become stuck in the inguinal canal – resulting in the blood supply being disrupted and damage to the intestines.