Pediatric Urology

[mctrish11]

hi all,
I have a VERY ACTIVE 4yo who was IVF and nearly premature (only due to bedrest did he stay in!). Recently we took him to the ped due to a swollen scrotum (hydrocele) and yesterday saw the pediatric urologist at the children's hospital. The urologist said that it's most common for premies to have congenital hernias (born with it) and that my 4yo probably had it at birth but b/c the opening was so small it didn't present itself until a few weeks ago when he was coughing a lot due to a bout of strep. Anyway, long story short, he offered 2 ways of treating it with surgery to close up the hole on the left side. But he said usually it occurs on the right, so there MAY be a slight possibility he has a small hernia on the right as well. So, normally the traditional surgical method would be in order, but if we want to check out both sides then it's probably best to do it by laparoscopy which lends higher risks. I'm just apprehensive of the higher risks I suppose and looking for reassurance, or a second opinion if there is another ped urologist on board. I've read that the traditional method of surgery is still the preferred method. Is it true that there is a good chance that the right side also has a hernia...I wouldn't want to go through this twice if we opted for traditional. But I've also read that the lap lends to higher chances of having to re-do the "patch" or complications during surgery as well.

Also, this doc is still only 2-3 years out of residency...so I must admit I'm a little shy of his experience as well. Knowledge is great, but of his hand skill in surgery, I don't know! Having been a NICU and OR nurse, I know too much!