ABSTRACT
Umbilical hernias are common presentations to surgical outpatients. A true umbilical hernia in a child is usually closed spontaneously by the age of 2 years. Any umbilical hernia presenting up to this age should be reassured and managed conservatively. If the hernia persists after this then surgical repair is warranted. Epigastric hernia on the otherhand should be fixed. These have a higher rate of obstruction and should be placed on the elective waiting list. Effortless, non-bilious vomiting in an infant 3-5 weeks of age is the typical presentation of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. The first priority in treating an infant with pyloric stenosis is to correct the fluid and electrolyte inbalance. This is achieved with 0.45" saline with potassium over 1-2 days. A hydrocoele is a collection of fluid around the testicle, in the tunica vaginalis. Hydrocoeles only occur in males. Possible causes of hydrocoeles in adults include: trauma, infection, testicular tumour and torsion of the testes.
