ABSTRACT
In high-income countries paediatric surgeons have subspecialised, whereas in low-income countries surgeons must maintain diverse skills and knowledge. Some conditions, previously managed by paediatric surgeons, are now managed by others. Surgery requires meticulous and gentle tissue handling, strict haemostasis, fine sutures and magnification. Tissues should be well vascularised, tension avoided and contamination minimised. Inguinal hernias occur in 4% of infants with prematurity, low birth weight and male sex being risk factors. The herniated contents may reduce after the induction of anaesthesia. A retractile testis is palpable in the groin and can be brought into the scrotum but promptly returns to the groin. Some scrotal testes in infancy are later found in the high scrotum or groin with ascent attributed to insufficient cord growth.
