Hernia surgery

Ventral hernia is a very common problem. It most frequently occurs in the form of inguinal hernia. Hernia causes pain and discomfort and restricts life, for example, by inhibiting exercise and sport. A hernia (a protrusion through the abdominal wall) grows with time and does not heal by itself; it requires surgery.

Hernia surgery can be performed as an open or endoscopic operation. An open operation is a simple, routine, and safe procedure that provides rapid recovery. If the patient has a bilateral hernia, or if the hernia has recurred after a previous operation, then the operation is usually performed endoscopically.

Modern hernia surgery uses a mesh made of synthetic material to repair the weak abdominal wall. This technique avoids circulatory impairment and the tightening of the patient’s own tissue. A hernia rarely reoccurs after modern hernia surgery.

In addition to inguinal hernia in the inguinal canal, other common types of hernia include umbilical hernia, paraumbilical hernia, and postoperative hernia. Treating them is essentially the same as for inguinal hernia but more patient specific.

After hernia surgery, the duration of sick leave required varies according to the type of hernia, the method used, and the patient’s profession. For inguinal hernia, it is generally between one and several weeks.