Hernia surgery at Spire Leeds Hospital

Spire Leeds Hospital is a long-established private hospital and provides an extensive range of surgical and medical services for our patients in Leeds, Harrogate and York.

We offer fast access to treatment for inguinal hernias if they’re causing you pain or complications. You have a choice of expert consultants who can perform the procedure and offer you a treatment and recovery plan that’s personalised to your needs.

Your consultant will recommend a treatment based on the location, size and type of hernia you have and your general health. We have a range of treatments available. All have their own potential benefits and risks which your consultant will discuss with you.

Trans-abdominal pre-peritoneal laparoscopy (TAPP)

A keyhole procedure where your surgeon inserts the surgical instruments through your abdomen and the lining covering your abdominal organs. The weakened area of your abdomen is strengthened using a mesh insert which is glued or stapled in place. This procedure is carried out under general anaesthetic, so you’ll be asleep.

Totally extra-peritoneal laparoscopy (TEP)

A keyhole procedure where your surgeon repairs your hernia without needing to cut into the lining covering your abdominal organs. Mesh is used to repair the weakness in your abdominal wall. This procedure is carried out under general anaesthetic, so you’ll be asleep.

Lichtenstein tension-free mesh repair

An open surgery technique typically performed with general anaesthetic, but local or spinal anaesthetic can be requested. Your abdominal wall is repaired using mesh.

Getting here

Spire Leeds Hospital is situated just off Leeds' main A6120 ring road, approximately three miles from Leeds city centre. The hospital is accessible via public transport (bus) or we're 15 minutes by car from the city centre and the mainline railway station. We have free on-site parking for you and your visitors.

Your consultation

You’ll meet your chosen consultant in one of our 17 private consultation rooms. They’ll discuss:

• Your symptoms and medical history
• How inguinal hernia surgery works
• The specific procedure they recommend for your needs
• The type of anaesthetic you’ll require – either a general anaesthetic (where you’ll be asleep) or a local or spinal anaesthetic (where you’ll be awake but unable to feel anything in the area being operated on)
• The potential benefits and risks of the procedure

Your consultant may need you to have additional tests or scans before they can recommend the next steps. Sometimes, particularly if you need a general anaesthetic, you may need to have a pre-operative assessment to check your fitness and overall health before the procedure.

Your stay

For most inguinal hernia repair surgery, you can leave on the same day, so you won’t need to stay overnight. However, if you do need to stay with us (for example if you have other medical conditions or live alone), you’ll have one of our 88 private, en-suite rooms, all of which have:

• TV
• Window
• Armchair
• WiFi
• Wardrobe

For day case procedures, you’ll be able to relax in a private room until you’re ready to go home. This will usually be about four hours after your procedure.

Anaesthetic

For most procedures, you'll need a general anaesthetic, where you’ll be completely asleep.

Procedure duration

Inguinal hernia repair surgery usually takes under one hour.

Pain management

After your operation, you’ll probably feel some pain or discomfort – this is normal after surgery. Our nursing team will give you painkillers to help you with this.

Your recovery

Your consultant will provide you with your expected recovery timeline. You should be back to most activities within six weeks of your operation, though it may be sooner depending on the type of hernia repair you had. You’ll return for a check-up appointment with your consultant around four weeks after your operation. As a guide, here’s a typical recovery timeline for hernia repair: