Hernia Facts and Information

We welcome you and appreciate your interest in learning about our methods of hernia repair. We will try to provide you with the most up-to-date information regarding day-case hernia surgery.

This website will help acquaint you with what our specialist hernia service is all about and will provide you with information as to where this service is available.

About hernia repairs.

Hernia repair is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in the UK.

A hernia is a protrusion of tissue, most commonly intestine or fat, through an abnormal opening in the abdominal wall. Think of an old fashioned car or bicycle tyre with an inner tube. Where the tyre wall weakens and separates the inner tube can push through the opening. Similarly a hernia occurs when the inner tissues protrude through an opening or separation of the muscle layers in the abdominal wall.

As the hernia enlarges, a bulge appears which is most often visible when standing. This may disappear on lying down. If this happens it is called a reducible hernia. You are not in any immediate danger but you probably need a hernia repair and should consult your GP.

If the intestine gets trapped one is unable to make the bulge disappear and this is called a non-reducible hernia.

What type of hernia do I have?

Doctors give different names to hernias depending on where they are in the body and how serious the bulge has become. Most hernias occur in what is known as the inguinal region or the groin.

- An indirect hernia is the most common type of groin hernia. In men it is due to a weakness in the part of the body where the testes pass from the body into the scrotum. This area is known as the internal ring. In women a hernia can develop in the same area and can extend to the outer folds of the genitals.

- A direct hernia is more common in men over the age of 40. It is due to a weakness in the groin area near to the internal ring caused by injury or straining.

- Femoral hernias are more common in women and are caused by a weakness below the groin.

- Umbilical hernias occur in the region of the umbilicus or belly-button. They are common in children and here they may get better on their own, but this does not usually happen in adults.

How do I get a hernia?

Hernias can be present at birth or occur over time due to stress and strain on the abdominal wall. However, the greatest cause of hernias appears to be hereditary. If a member of your immediate family, ie. father, grandfather, brother etc. has a hernia then your chance of developing a hernia is much greater than that of an individual without a family history. Strenuous activity, like lifting a heavy object, can also be a cause.

What if I ignore my hernia?

Generally a hernia that can be pushed back, ie. a reducible hernia is not an immediate danger to your heath although it may be uncomfortable. If left untreated, it will continue to increase in size over time and maybe become painful. Untreated hernias do not get better on their own. If left such hernias may become strangulated, cutting of the blood supply to the bowel, which in turn can cause an acute blockage or perforation of the bowel. This then becomes a potentially life-threatening situation, which requires urgent surgery. This is obviously a situation best avoided by having your hernia repaired before it complicates.

What are my options?

Without surgery you simply tolerate the hernia. Wearing a truss or compression garment may temporarily control the bulge from increasing in size but it will not permanently cure the hernia. Only surgery can do that.

Traditional hernia repair techniques involve suturing the separated abdominal wall muscles and ligaments together. Since the muscles are often soft and moveable, while the ligaments remain rigid and stationary, these structures can re-separate over time or the sutures can tear through the tissue causing a hernia to reform.