Repairs the weak spot in the abdominal wall that caused the hernia.
We offer the latest surgical techniques to repair an inguinal hernia – a swelling or lump in your groin caused by a weakness in your abdominal wall muscles.
Sometimes also called
Typical hospital stay
Same-day discharge or 1 night
Procedure duration
Under an hour
Type of anaesthetic
General, spinal or local
Available to self-pay?
Yes
Covered by health insurance?
Yes
An inguinal hernia repair is an operation your doctor may suggest if you have a swelling or lump in your groin (or an enlarged scrotum in men), due to a hernia that’s causing pain or other problems.
An inguinal hernia occurs when part of your intestine, or the fatty tissue around it, pokes through a weak spot in your abdominal wall muscles. It is more common in men. Most are thought to result from ageing as your abdominal wall becomes weaker with age, though it can be present from birth. Inguinal hernias can also develop suddenly after putting pressure on the abdominal muscles, such as straining as a result of constipation, and they have also been linked to a persistent, heavy cough. You may find that the pain is often worse when you cough or stand and may disappear completely when you lie down.
Inguinal hernias are the most common type of hernias, but others include:
An inguinal hernia doesn't tend to improve if it's left untreated, so surgery is recommended. The operation involves pushing the protruding tissue back into place and repairing the weakness in your abdominal wall, usually with mesh.
Your consultant may recommend surgery if your hernia is:
Your consultant can usually diagnose a hernia by examining the lump and asking you to stand, cough and lie down.
Sometimes they may send you for these tests to confirm the diagnosis:
Almost all of our hospitals offer private hernia repair. We have dedicated general surgeons who specialise in this procedure and use many of the latest techniques and innovations.
You can either have traditional open surgery or laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery.
With open surgery, your surgeon will:
With keyhole surgery, your surgeon will:
TAPP and TEP: what’s the difference?
Your surgeon will explain the pros and cons of each method and which is best for you. This will depend on:
If surgery is not for you, your doctor may recommend wearing a hernia truss or corset as an alternative. This undergarment keeps the inguinal hernia in place and will relieve your discomfort, though it should only be used temporarily and it won’t treat your lump.
Who will be involved?
As well as your chosen surgeon, you’ll also be seen by an anaesthetist who’ll administer anaesthetic during the operation.
How long does an inguinal hernia repair take?
The surgery will usually last around one hour. You’ll need to allow 30 minutes before for the anaesthetic to take effect and another 30 minutes after the procedure for these effects to wear off.
How to prepare for an inguinal hernia repair
Before your surgery, you’ll be sent some instructions about when to stop eating and drinking in preparation for your operation.
Anaesthetic choices
Your consultant will advise on what’s best, based on your health, the surgical method and where your hernia is. It will either be:
You’ll usually need a general anaesthetic for laparoscopic hernia repair.
If you have the spinal or local options, you may be offered a sedative.
Pain after an inguinal hernia repair
There tends to be less pain with keyhole surgery than with open surgery but you’re still likely to feel some soreness and discomfort once your anaesthetic wears off. Everyone experiences pain differently, but don’t worry, you’ll be given painkillers to help you manage this afterwards.
Your hospital stay
You’ll usually go home on the same day or the following day.
You can expect to go home on the same day as your operation, though you may have to stay overnight. After one to two weeks, you should be able to perform light activities such as shopping, return to desk-based work and you may also be able to drive again. You should be back to most normal activities within six weeks. If you have keyhole surgery, you’re likely to recover quicker and experience less pain than with open surgery.
After hernia treatment, it’s normal to experience:
Gentle exercise such as walking can also help with your healing and recovery.
Your lifestyle after treatment
You won’t be able to drive right away, so you’ll need to arrange for someone to take you home. You’ll also need someone to stay with you for the first 24 hours and may want to arrange help with tasks such as shopping and cleaning.
Your care team will provide you instructions about how to care for your wound correctly, as well as advice on hygiene and bathing. Make sure to follow these until the wound has fully healed.
You may find that coughing and sneezing cause pain around the wound, applying gentle pressure to your incisions with a cushion or your hand should make it more comfortable. Straining on the toilet because of constipation could also cause pain around your wound. You can reduce the risk of constipation by drinking plenty of fluids and eating large portions of fruit, vegetables and foods that are high in fibre.
It will probably be a couple of weeks before you can get back to light activities, work or driving. If your work is physically strenuous, you may need to wait around four to six weeks – your consultant will advise you.
It’s also important to check with your motor insurance company before driving again and you should avoid driving until you can perform the emergency stop manoeuvre without feeling any pain (this can be practised without starting your car).
If your treatment was performed under general anaesthetic, you should avoid drinking alcohol, operating machinery and signing legal documents for at least two days.
Most people have an inguinal hernia repair without complications, but all surgery carries some risks. Inguinal hernia repair complications can include:
If you develop any of the following symptoms after your inguinal hernia repair, call the hospital where you had your surgery:
Hernia mesh
A recent media report highlighted how a minority of hernia mesh operations are associated with complications. However, it's important to note that this included all complications, from minor and correctable issues to more serious problems. A recent study comparing hernia repairs with mesh and hernia repairs without mesh found there was no difference in chronic pain afterwards. It's also important to consider some complications can occur without treatment. Your consultant will help you make an informed opinion about whether surgery is right for you. They'll explain all the potential benefits, risks and complications with you and answer any questions or concerns you may have.
At Spire hospitals, your safety is our top priority. We have high standards of quality control, equipment and cleanliness and a rigorous system of review and training for our medical teams.
Your consultant will be able to advise you on your expected recovery time, but as a guide, here’s a typical recovery timeline for hernia surgery:
0-1 days
4-6 weeks
Leave hospital
Light activities such as shopping; can return to desk-based work
Back to normal activities
Leave hospital
Light activities such as shopping; can return to desk-based work
Back to normal activities
How long does it take to recover from a hernia operation?
Following your inguinal hernia repair procedure at Spire, you can expect to be back to most normal activities within four to six weeks.
Is a hernia surgery a major operation?
Hernia surgery is a common procedure and most people have an inguinal hernia repair without complications, but all surgery carries some risks. Your consultant will discuss potential risks and complications with you before the operation.
How painful is hernia surgery?
Your inguinal hernia repair will be performed under anaesthetic so you’ll not feel any pain during the procedure. However, you may find that you experience mild discomfort when coughing, sneezing and going to the toilet during your recovery at home.
Do all hernias need surgery?
If you have a hernia then the likelihood is that it will not get better without surgery, but that doesn’t always mean it will get worse. If you’re experiencing pain and your hernia is having an effect on your day-to-day life, surgery is often recommended.
Which is the best surgery for a hernia?
There is no single best method of surgery for a hernia, the one that will be best for you depends on several different factors, including your overall health and the hernia type. Your consultant will discuss this with you in detail before you agree which surgery will be best.
What type of doctor operates on hernias?
Your hernia will be operated on by a surgeon of your choice.
Can I exercise with a hernia?
You can continue to exercise as normal with an inguinal hernia, but you should always do so with caution and stop if you're experiencing pain.
Can a hernia burst?
If left untreated, there is a risk of your abdominal hernia bursting, though this very rarely happens.
Dos and don'ts after hernia surgery?
If your treatment was performed under general anaesthetic, you should avoid drinking alcohol, operating machinery, and signing legal documents for at least two days.
What should I not eat with a hernia?
With an inguinal hernia, there are no foods that you have to avoid, but you should eat enough fruit, vegetables and foods that are high in fibre to reduce your risk of constipation.
The treatment described on this page may be adapted to meet your individual needs, so it's important to follow your healthcare professional's advice and raise any questions that you may have with them.