Open Inguinal Hernia Repair (male) | HMT St Hugh's Hospital

Open Inguinal Hernia Repair (male)

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What is an inguinal hernia?

Your abdominal cavity contains your intestines and other structures. These are protected by your abdominal wall, which is made up of four layers.

Weak spots can develop in the layer of muscle, resulting in the contents of your abdomen, along with the inner layer, pushing through your abdominal wall. This produces a lump called a hernia.

An inguinal hernia happens at the inguinal canal. This is a narrow passage in which blood vessels supplying your testicle pass through your abdominal wall.

What are the benefits of surgery?

You should no longer have the hernia. Surgery should prevent the serious complications that a hernia can cause and allow you to return to normal activities.

Are there any alternatives to an open inguinal hernia repair?
Inguinal hernias can be repaired using keyhole surgery and this may be appropriate for you.

You can sometimes control the hernia with a truss (padded support belt) or simply leave it alone. It will not get better without surgery.

What does the operation involve?

Various anaesthetic techniques are possible.

The operation usually takes about 45 minutes.

Your surgeon will make a cut on your groin and remove the ‘hernial sac’. They will strengthen the muscle layer with stitches, usually inserting a synthetic mesh to cover the weak spot, and close your skin.

How soon will I recover?

You should be able to go home the same day.

Increase how much you walk around over the first few days.

You should be able to return to work after 2 to 4 weeks, depending on how much surgery you need and your type of work. Do not lift anything heavy for at least 6 weeks.

Regular exercise should help you to return to normal activities as soon as possible. Before you start exercising, ask the healthcare team or your GP for advice.

Most men make a full recovery and can return to normal activities.

However, the hernia can come back.

What complications can happen?

Some complications can be serious and can even cause death.

General complications of any operation

Pain
Bleeding
Infection of the surgical site (wound)
Unsightly scarring of your skin
Blood clot in your leg
Blood clot in your lung

Specific complications of this operation

Developing a collection of blood (haematoma) or fluid (seroma)
Difficulty passing urine
Injury to structures that come from your abdomen and are within the hernia
Temporary weakness of your leg
Continued discomfort or pain in your groin
Damage to nerves
Damage to the blood supply of your testicle

Availability

NHS/Private

Pricing*

Consultant

£475

Anaesthetist

£152

Hospital

£2695

Prices start from

£3322

*The prices shown are minimum guide prices only. Diagnostic scans and investigations are not included unless otherwise stated. The exact cost of treatment will be made clear to you before you proceed.

This document is intended for information purposes only and should not replace advice your healthcare team gives you. This information is published under license from EIDO Healthcare UK and is protected by copyright. Other than for your personal, non-commercial use, you may not copy, print, download or otherwise reproduce it.

An inguinal hernia is a common condition caused by a weakness in your abdominal wall, near the inguinal canal. If left untreated, an inguinal hernia can cause serious complications.

What to do next

Talk to us about ways to pay, either insured or self-pay, and find out if you need a referral from your doctor.
If you need one, ask your doctor for a referral letter.
Call us to book an appointment with a consultant.

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I can’t thank everyone enough for the amazing care given. Such lovely attentive nurses. I will definitely recommend St Hughs and Mr Riaz and his team. Brilliant hospital.

Could not fault anything about my stay in St Hughs. Everybody was wonderful. Thank you all.

Everybody was kind, considerate and a jolly bunch, which helps to put you at ease and gives you confidence in knowing that they know what they are doing. 5 stars.

All staff extremely kind, patient and friendly. A credit to the hospital. Thank you.

Very good hospital and very good staff. I have never met so many caring people in one place. The nursing was 1st class. The encouragement to walk was also very good.

I had an amazing experience during my time at St Hugh’s Hospital, from my initial consultation to the aftercare following my procedure. Communication with the cosmetic nurse was brilliant; every member of staff I met was kind respectful, caring and polite. My surgeon was fantastic, so professional and kind, I trusted his knowledge completely.