Laparoscopic Hernia Surgery

Types of hernia commonly repaired laparoscopically

• Inguinal (groin) hernia — the most common type, especially in men.
• Umbilical and paraumbilical hernia — around the navel.
• Incisional hernia — through the scar of a previous operation.
• Hiatus hernia — where part of the stomach moves up into the chest; selected cases are treated surgically.

Why hernias are repaired

Hernias do not heal on their own. Surgery is usually considered when a hernia causes pain or interferes with daily life, is enlarging, or where there is concern about complications such as obstruction or strangulation, in which the blood supply to trapped tissue is reduced. That situation is a medical emergency. Small, painless hernias are sometimes watched rather than operated on.

How keyhole hernia repair works

Under general anaesthesia, the surgeon makes small cuts, inflates the abdomen with gas and works from the inside. The bulging tissue is returned to its correct place, and the weak area is usually reinforced with a mesh that is fixed in position. The mesh helps reduce the chance of the hernia returning. Common laparoscopic techniques for groin hernias are referred to as TEP and TAPP; your surgeon can explain which is planned and why.

Open repair remains a good option in many cases, particularly for certain hernia sizes, emergencies or people who cannot safely have general anaesthesia. Neither approach is universally better.

Recovery in general terms

• Many planned repairs are day-care or single-night stays.
• Wound soreness, bruising and some swelling in the area are common.
• Walking is usually encouraged early; heavy lifting and strenuous exercise are typically restricted for a period your surgeon specifies.
• Return to desk work is often sooner than return to physical work.

Risks to discuss with your surgeon

In addition to the general risks on our risks page, hernia repair has specific ones: recurrence of the hernia, chronic groin or wound pain, seroma (fluid collection), infection, mesh-related problems, injury to nearby structures including nerves, bowel, bladder or blood vessels, and, in men, testicular pain or swelling. Ask your surgeon what these risks mean for your hernia type and history.

Preparation and warning signs are covered in the patient guide. Cost factors are on the cost page — mesh and implants are often billed separately.