To investigate the detection rate of pediatric inguinal hernia by general practitioners in community hospitals, and to analyze the outcome of the surgical treatment of inguinal hernia in children.

Seventy-seven patients who were admitted to the community hospital from February 2015 to January 2017 were selected. The initial diagnosis was made by the general practitioner with inquiry and physical examination. Ultrasound examination was performed and all children was performed laparoscopic inguinal hernia sac high ligation after referral to the superior hospital. Based on intraoperative diagnosis, the detection rate of inguinal hernia by general practitioners in community hospital and ultrasound diagnostic accuracy rate were retrospectively assessed.

Of 77 children, the detection rate of inguinal hernia in children of general practitioners was 42.9%, ultrasound diagnostic accuracy rate was 70.1%, and of the 54 cases which were diagnosed of unilateral hernia with ultrasound, the incidence of contralateral occult inguinal hernia was 35.2%. All cases were followed up for 6 months after surgery, without developing of recurrence and hematoma. The scrotum was slightly edematous in the short term.

The general practitioners in community hospitals have a low detection rate of inguinal hernia in children. It is necessary to provide general practitioners with professional training in hernia and abdominal wall surgery of children to reduce the missed diagnosis rate. Laparoscopic treatment of children with inguinal hernia is safe and feasible. It can detect contralateral occult hernia at the same time, reducing the miss rate and avoiding the risk of secondary surgery.