Hernia Surgery in Glasgow

If you have developed an abdominal hernia, it is likely to increase in size with time. Surgery is usually the best option for most patients.

Surgery is the only way to fix a hernia. Don’t let a hernia keep you from leading a normal, active life.

If you are concerned about what is involved with a repair of your hernia, it may be time to think again. Many people do not realise that hernia repair surgery has changed over the last few years.  At the Scottish Hernia Centre based at RossHall hospital in Glasgow, you can chose to have a private groin hernia repair performed quickly as a day case. Most patients are even suitable for repair of a groin hernia under local anaesthetic, which often means a faster recovery. Our surgeon Richard Molloy is experienced in local anaesthetic hernia repair, which is especially suitable for elderly patients and those with medical conditions. Usually, you can return to your normal activities within a few weeks following the hernia repair, and sometimes within just a few days of hernia surgery.

Today’s hernia repairs

• Can be done quickly
• Usually can be performed under local anaesthesia
• Usually performed as a day case and do not require no hospital stay
• Enable rapid recovery with very little discomfort after your surgery
• Fixed price private hernia surgery plans are available at affordable prices (see below or our Prices and Payment page)

However, surgery may not be the right option for every individual. In certain situations, you may wish to not consider an operation or it may not be advisable to consider surgery due to other medical problems. For more information, please see our dedicated page on “watchful waiting approach” approach to hernias. 

What are the different types of hernia repair?

There are two ways to fix an inguinal hernia

Open/Tension Free Repair

The repair is performed using a 2-3 inch incision in the groin or directly over the hernia. The surgeon deepens the cut through, the skin, fat layer in order to get to the hernia which is a hole in the muscle layer. 

The contents of the hernia replaced back in the abdomen. A repair is then usually performed using a small piece of surgical mesh to cover the defect or hole. Surrounding tissue grows through the mesh, strengthening the area of weakness and permanently holding it in position.

Most groin hernias can be performed using either local anaesthetic or general anaesthetic.

Open tension free mesh repair of an inguinal hernia

Laparoscopic/keyhole surgery

Many hernias can be repaired using keyhole surgery (laparoscopic surgery). A small cut in the skin is made which allows the surgeon to pass a a long thin tube with a camera attachment (laparoscope) alongside the muscle to the site of the hernia. The surgery is then carried out by looking at a television monitor that is attached to the camera.

The hernia is repaired from behind the abdominal wall. A small piece of surgical mesh is fixed over the hernia defect and held in place with small surgical staples.

Three small incisions are usually necessary. This operation is usually performed with general anaesthesia. This technique may allow the patient to enjoy a shorter recovery time and experience less post-operative discomfort. For more info, please see our page on the relative merits of open vs. laparoscopic hernia surgery.

Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair

What type of meshes are used to perform a hernia repair ?

When synthetic meshes (many are made from polypropylene which is similar to nylon) were first introduced more than 30 years ago, the manufacturers tended over-engineer the mesh. These early heavyweight meshes were very robust but were more than 10 times stronger than they needed to be. The heavier the mesh, they more it shrank and we now also increasingly of the opinion that patients are more likely to get long-term discomfort with these heavier meshes.

As a consequence, manufacturers have introduced a range of newer lightweight meshes. Some of these are partly absorbable to further reduce the amount of synthetic material that stays in long-term. Others companies have also introduced a sticky side to the mesh (a little like Velcro) to allow the mesh to stay in place so the surgeon does not need to introduce any stitches (again, a potential cause for discomfort after operation. At the Scottish Hernia Centre, we use the latest high tech meshes to minimise discomfort and reduce the risk of longer term pain.

Partly absorbable mesh for hernia repair

Progrip mesh

What are the complications of hernia surgery?

Complications may occur with any surgery. Hernia surgery involves a small risk of bleeding, infection, nerve injury and chronic pain. There is a small risk of damage to the blood vessels that supply the testicle or to the vas deferens (the sperm tube coming from the testicle). 

Laparoscopic surgery also carries a small risk of injury to the urinary bladder and the intestines. On occasion, some patients experience difficulty in passing urine which may require a temporary tube or catheter into the bladder.

As with all hernia repairs, there is a risk that the hernia may come back. With an experienced surgeon such as Richard Molloy, the risk of developing a recurrence is between 1 – 5 %. This long-term recurrence rate after an open mesh repair is very low (1% or less). The long-term recurrence rate after laparoscopic repair is also low although perhaps not quite as low as after open operation.

What preparation is required?

Most hernia operations are performed on a day-case basis i.e. you will usually be able to go home on the same day that the operation is performed. You should refrain from eating or drinking after midnight on the night before your operation. You should shower the night before or the morning of the operation. Some preoperative testing may be required depending on your medical condition and the type of anaesthesia needed for your operation.

 If you take medication on a daily basis, discuss this with your surgeon as they may want you to take some of your medications on the morning of surgery with a sip of water. If you take aspirin, blood thinners (e.g. warfarin) or arthritis medication you need to discuss with your surgeon the proper timing of discontinuing these medications before your operation.

What should I expect after hernia surgery?

Following the operation, you will be transferred to the recovery room where you will be monitored carefully until you are fully awake. Depending on the timing of surgery and your recovery, you may be able to be discharged home on the day of surgery. Alternatively, you may require an overnight stay.

With any hernia operation, you can expect some soreness. This will be mostly during the first 24 to 48 hours. You are encouraged to be up and about the day after surgery. Most patients can get back to normal activities within a short amount of time.

These activities include showering, driving, walking up stairs, lifting, work and sexual intercourse. A follow-up appointment will generally be made for between 2 and 8 weeks after your operation.

If you have prolonged soreness and are getting no relief from the prescribed pain medication, you should notify either your own GP or the hospital. similarly, if you begin to have fever, chills, vomiting, are unable to urinate, or experience drainage from your incisions, you should call the hospital immediately.

Will my hernia come back after repair?

With traditional surgery, up to 10% of hernias can recur after operation.

With modern techniques and in the experienced hands of surgeons at The Scottish Hernia Centre, recurrence rates of less than 1% can be expected with inguinal and femoral hernia repair. Recurrence rates of around 5% can be expected after incisional hernia repair with mesh (up to 1/3 will recur if no mesh is used).

Surgery is considered the only cure, and the prognosis is excellent if the hernia is corrected before it becomes strangulated.

What are the risks if I do not undergo surgery for my hernia?

There are risks to not repairing a hernia surgically. Left untreated, a hernia may become incarcerated, which means it can no longer be reduced or pushed back into place. With an incarcerated hernia the intestines become trapped outside the abdomen. This could lead to a blockage in the intestine. If it is severe enough it may cut off the blood supply to the intestine and part of the intestine might actually die.

When the blood supply is cut off, the hernia is termed “strangulated.” Because of the risk of tissue death (necrosis) and gangrene, and because the hernia can block food from moving through the bowel, a strangulated hernia is a medical emergency requiring immediate surgery. Repairing a hernia before it becomes incarcerated or strangulated is much safer than waiting until complications develop.

All of the above said, on occasion, it may be that surgery is not the best option. Other factors may need to be considered such as fitness for surgery. For more information, please see our page on watchful waiting.