Open Inguinal Hernia Repair

This webpage will give you information about an open inguinal hernia repair (for men). If you have any questions, you should ask your GP or other relevant health professional.

What is an inguinal hernia?

Weak spots can develop in the layer of muscle in the abdominal wall, resulting in the contents of the abdomen pushing through. This produces a lump called a hernia (see figure 1).

Figure 1 - Hernia - bowel pushing through a weakness in the muscle wall of the abdomen.

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

A hernia can be dangerous because the intestines or other structures within the abdomen can get trapped and have their blood supply cut off (strangulated hernia).

What are the benefits of surgery?

You should no longer have the hernia. Surgery should prevent you from having any serious complications.

Are there any alternatives to surgery?

You can sometimes control the hernia with a truss (padded support belt) or simply leave it alone. It will not go away without an operation.

What does the operation involve?

A variety of anaesthetic techniques are possible. Your surgeon will make a cut in your groin and remove the ‘hernial sac’.

They will strengthen the muscle layer with stitches and will usually insert a synthetic mesh to cover the weak spot.

What complications can happen?

1 General complications of any operation

Pain
Bleeding
Infection in the surgical wound
Unsightly scarring
Blood clots

2 Specific complications of this operation

Developing a lump
Difficulty passing urine
Injury to structures within the hernia
Temporary weakness of the leg
Injury to nerves
Damage to the blood supply of the testicle

How soon will I recover?

You should be able to go home the same day or the day after.

You should increase how much you walk around over the first few days after your operation.

Your doctor will tell you when you can return to work depending on the extent of surgery and your type of work.

Occasionally the hernia comes back.

Summary

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