Hernia surgery at Spire Murrayfield Hospital Wirral

At Spire Murrayfield Hospital, Wirral, we take pride in providing excellent private hospital care to our patients across Merseyside and beyond.

Our consultants have wide experience in performing hernia repair surgery. They’ll offer you a treatment and recovery plan that’s tailored to you. With fast access to tests, scans and treatments, we can help relieve your symptoms and get you back to your everyday activities.

We offer a variety of techniques for hernia surgery. The treatments available to you will depend on the type, size and location of your hernia and your general health. Your consultant will discuss which option is best for 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 newer 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.

Coming into hospital

We're situated close to the M53, and you can also reach us by taking the train to Birkenhead Hamilton Square station, which is a 15 minute taxi ride away. There’s free parking available for you and your visitors.

Meeting your consultant

Your appointment will take place in one of our private consultation rooms. Your consultant will discuss:

• Your symptoms and examine your abdomen and suspected hernia
• Your general health and medical history
• If they recommend any additional tests or scans to help plan your treatment
• Your treatment options and expected recovery timeline
• What inguinal hernia surgery involves and the potential benefits and risks
• The 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 pain in the area being operated on)

You may also need a pre-operative assessment before you can proceed with surgery. This will be to ensure the procedure is suitable for you, especially if you need a general anaesthetic.

Your stay

For most 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 stay in one of our private, en-suite rooms, which have:

• TV
• En-suite
• Window
• Armchair

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

Anaesthetic

For keyhole (laparoscopic) procedures, you’ll need a general anaesthetic, where you’ll be completely asleep. For open surgery, you can usually have a local or spinal anaesthetic, meaning you’ll be awake but unable to feel pain where you’re being operated on.

Procedure duration

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 work closely with you to manage your pain effectively.

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 a few weeks after your operation. As a guide, here’s a typical recovery timeline for hernia repair: