Sajid Hameed Dar, Muhammad Afzal Sheikh.
Epigastric Hernia in Children: Experience at Mayo Hospital, Lahore.
Ann King Edward Med Uni Jan ;9(2):148-9.

Thirty two (32) children with epigastric hernia were included in this retrospective study. Twelve (37.50%) were female and twenty (62.50%) were female. Mean age at which hernia was first noticed was 2.68 years but the mean age of final treatment was 4.59 years. More than 50% children were symptomatic in direct contrast to adult population where majority is asymptomatic. Preoperative assessment revealed multiplicity of hernia in only 3(9.38%) patients. Eighteen (56.25%) patients had been examined and advised conservative treatment by different practitioners. Twenty four (75%) children were being treated either spiritually (43.75%) or by some home made potions (31.25%). All children underwent surgical closure of facial defect. The size of defect varied from 3mm to 1.5mm. Twenty seven (84.38%) had only protrusion of properitoneal fat. Only 5 (15.62%) cases had true peritoneal sac. Five (15.62%) had double facial defects, with healthy linea alba in between. Only 4(12.50%) patients developed subcutaneous collection of pus, drainage of which resulted in uneventful recovery. No recurrence was noted in this series. This study highlights the differences between the paediatric versus adult patients of epigastric hernia. Even though many factors are delaying the treatment in paediatric age group, the treatment is simple and results are gratifying.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com