Inguinal Hernia Repair Surgery Cost and Procedure Guide

Written by Medical Quality Officer, David Jones , MPharm

Medical Review by Chief Medical Officer, Mr. Dan Howcroft , FRCS (Tr&Orth), MBBS

Inguinal hernia surgery is a procedure to repair a bulge in the groin area. While there are various types of hernias, the inguinal type is the most common. This procedure offers the patient relief from discomfort or pain and prevents potential complications.

SUMMARY

Procedure time

30 to 120 minutes

Overnight stay

Day case or one night

Anaesthetic

General or local

Recovery time

6 weeks

Overview

What is a hernia?

A hernia occurs when an internal part of the body pushes through a weakness in the surrounding muscle or tissue wall.

Inguinal hernias

An inguinal hernia appears as a bulge in the groin at the top of the inner thigh and is typically more common in men. It may also present as an enlarged scrotum. It arises when the contents of the abdomen, often a part of the intestine or fatty tissue, push through a passage in the lower abdomen. The swelling may be painful. The lump often appears when lifting something and can disappear when lying down.

What is the inguinal area?

The inguinal region, sometimes called the groin, is the lower part of the abdominal wall. It's a small area of great importance, as it serves as a passageway for structures such as the blood vessels and nerves.

What is the abdominal wall?

The abdominal wall consists of a robust layer of muscles and tendons stretching from your ribs down to your groin. It functions as a natural corset, securing all internal organs, particularly the intestines (bowels), within your abdomen.

Other types of hernias

Femoral Hernias - Lower down than inguinal and more common in women. Femoral hernias are also associated with ageing and repeated strain on the tummy, e.g. through pregnancy and childbirth.
Umbilical Hernias - Occur when fatty tissue or part of the bowel pokes through the tummy near the belly button.
Incisional hernia - this is caused by a weakness in the area of a previous surgery. This hernia occurs when part of the internal tissue pokes through at or near the incision area.
Hiatal Hernias - Involves the stomach and diaphragm. They occur when part of the stomach pushes up into the chest by squeezing through an opening in the diaphragm, the thin sheet of muscle that separates the chest from the tummy.

Cost

Inguinal hernia repair surgery costs from £2600 to £5000. The price is based on several factors, including pre-existing health conditions and the location of the hospital.

After the hernia repair consultation, patients will be given a bespoke price for their procedure. The personalised inguinal repair surgery price will include:

Factors that may affect the price include the following:

Costs related to your hospital stay
Accommodation
Nursing staff
Surgery theatre
Imaging costs
Medication
Aftercare
Medication prescribed by your surgeon
Post-operative scans such as X-rays or MRIs
Post-operative appointments with your surgeon

The nature of surgery is one size does not fit all. During the consultation, a treatment plan will be made and tailored to the individual patient.

Candidates and Symptoms

Older patients are typically more affected by inguinal hernia than younger ones. This is because as we get older, the abdominal wall becomes weaker, allowing the internal contents to push through. This is exacerbated by increased pressure and strain in the area, e.g. weightlifting from heavy lifting, constipation, and being overweight.

Symptoms of an inguinal hernia

Symptoms of an inguinal hernia include but are not limited to:

Groin discomfort, especially when bending over, coughing, or lifting.
A noticeable bulge in the groin area.

Treatment options

Treatment Options

Non-surgical inguinal hernia repair options

Lifestyle modifications such as improved diet and exercise to reduce constipation and excess weight.
Stop weightlifting - this will reduce the stress on the hernia.
Monitoring - some small hernias can be watched and monitored without the need to operate.
Trusses or supports - Special belts to keep the hernia in place. Your surgeon or GP will be able to advise about these options and usage.

Typical Candidates for inguinal hernia repair surgery

Individuals with a noticeable hernia bulge and/or experiencing consistent discomfort and symptoms not relieved by other treatments may be recommended to have treatment for their hernia. As mentioned previously, certain individuals are more suspectable for certain types of hernias.

Surgical inguinal hernia repair options

Open surgery: an incision is made to allow the surgeon to push the lump back into the position.
Laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery: this is a less invasive technique where several more minor cuts are made, allowing the surgeon to use various special instruments to repair the hernia.

A number of factors will be considered when deciding whether inguinal hernia repair surgery is appropriate, including:

The type of hernia – some types of hernia are more likely to become strangulated or cause a bowel obstruction than others.
The content of your hernia – if the hernia contains a part of your bowel, muscle or other tissue, there may be a risk of strangulation or obstruction.
Symptoms and their impact on your daily life – surgery may be recommended if your symptoms are severe or getting worse or if the hernia is affecting your ability to carry out your normal activities.
General health – surgery may be too much of a risk if your general health is poor.

The consultation

Inguinal Hernia Repair Consultation

Patients will be required to discuss their hernia history, any symptoms they are experiencing and any previous treatments they may have undergone. A physical examination will assess the hernia and allow the surgeon to better understand the patient’s complaint.

If required, patients may be referred for potential scans of the hernia. Ultrasound or MRI will assess the hernia's size and position, allowing the surgeon to decide on the best course of action to treat the hernia.

If surgery is considered the best course of treatment, the surgeon will discuss the outcomes of the surgery, including potential risks and benefits of surgery.

Surgery

Inguinal Hernia Repair Surgery

Laparoscopic Surgery

Several small incisions are made in the lower abdomen, allowing the surgeon to insert a tiny camera (laparoscope) into the body; this guides the surgeon to the sight of the hernia, allowing them to use various special instruments to push the bulge of a hernia back into place and strengthen the weakness in the abdominal wall.

A mesh may be placed to strengthen the area.

Open Surgery

The surgeon will make a single, larger incision in the groin, allowing them access to push the lump back into position and repair the hernia. This technique can be carried out with or without the use of mesh.

Your surgeon will discuss the best option for your particular needs, as the choice can depend on the size and location of the hernia, as well as past history and other factors.

Recovery

Inguinal Hernia Surgery Recovery

Below, we have outlined common advice for patients following the hernia procedure. It is important always to follow the directions given by your surgeon.

The first few weeks after surgery

Rest and avoid strenuous activities for a few weeks. If there is pain, over-the-counter painkillers can help manage discomfort. Patients can typically expect to see diminished pain or discomfort in a couple of weeks following surgery.

Sports and activities

Most patients can return to normal activities within a few weeks, though heavy lifting should be avoided for up to six weeks. If patients have a physical job, such as a hospitality worker or builder, they may need to arrange further coverage for their recovery.

Patients will have follow-up appointments scheduled to track their progress and monitor their recovery. Attending these appointments is important as they are an important part of the treatment plan. The surgeon will be able to recommend returning to specific activities as this will be specific to the needs of each patient. Inguinal hernia repair surgery recovery time is different for each patient.

Risks and complications

As with any surgery, some risks and complications can occur with an inguinal hernia procedure. Patients must be aware of these and be able to weigh these risks with the benefits before they choose to proceed with the treatment. It’s important to speak to a medical professional regarding any concerns you may have about the procedure, or if you suspect you may be experiencing any postoperative complications. The information in this guide is generalised advice; your surgeon is much better suited to advise on your specific case.

Bruising & bleeding

Some bruising is common after surgery. This should resolve over the first couple of weeks. You may also experience some minor bleeding from the incision site. This often occurs right after surgery but may occur a few weeks later. However, please inform your surgeon straight away if you notice significant bruising, pain, or swelling. You may have a haematoma, which is a solid collection of blood under the skin. These often develop within 24 hours of surgery and require medical attention. You may be more at risk if you are male, have high blood pressure, or take certain medications.

Infection

Although every effort is made to reduce the risk of infection, it is still possible for one to develop. You must, therefore, be aware of the signs of infection. Contact your surgeon right away if you notice any of the following signs:

Feeling feverish with a temperature over 38° C.
Redness at the incision site spreads after the first 48 hours.
Yellow pus-like or foul-smelling fluid seeping from the incision.
Increased pain or discomfort that your pain medication does not resolve.

If you’re unsure about anything, do contact your doctor.

Scarring

Unfortunately, it is not always possible to avoid scarring where the surgeon has made incisions. The size and location of the scars will vary slightly according to the technique your surgeon uses. Make sure you ask your surgeon to explain where your final scars will be. Remember that scars commonly fade with time. How much they fade will depend on the healing ability of your skin. Your surgeon can also give you advice on caring for your wounds and reducing the scarring that you are left with.

Risks of inguinal hernia repair surgery

There is the potential for hernia recurrence; as mentioned previously, certain individuals are prone to hernias, so it’s important to discuss all lifestyle factors and activities with the surgeon to try and minimise the further development of hernias.

Due to the nature of the procedure, it is possible that there can be damage to surrounding tissues, including nerves and internal organs. In men, there is a risk of damage to the spermatic cord. Selecting a highly experienced surgeon and following their pre and post-operative recommendations may reduce this risk. In addition, chronic pain or discomfort in the surgery area may follow after the procedure. During follow-up appointments, be sure to let the surgeon or nurse know if you’re experiencing discomfort or pain that may not go away with painkillers.