Hernia surgery at Spire Harpenden Hospital

Repairs the weak spot in the abdominal wall that caused the hernia.

At Spire Harpenden Hospital, we offer some of the latest techniques to repair inguinal hernias – a swelling or lump in your groin caused by a weakness in your abdominal wall muscles.

An inguinal hernia operation involves pushing the bulging tissue back into place and repairing your abdominal wall.

Sometimes also called

  • Herniotomy
  • Hernioplasty
  • Herniorrhaphy

The procedure(s) listed above are examples only and may not be available at all Spire hospitals.


At a glance

  • Typical hospital stay
    Same-day discharge or 1 night

  • Procedure duration
    Under an hour

  • Type of anaesthetic
    General, spinal or local

  • Available to self-pay?
    Yes

  • Covered by health insurance?
    Yes

Why Spire?

  • Fast access to a wide range of treatments
  • Internationally and nationally renowned consultants
  • Clear, inclusive pricing
  • Rated 'Good' by the Care Quality Commission

By Wallace Health I Medically reviewed by Adrian Roberts.
Page last reviewed: October 2023 I Next review due: October 2027

Hernia surgery: what to expect at Spire Harpenden Hospital

At Spire Harpenden Hospital, we pride ourselves on our comprehensive private hospital services and high standards of care for our patients in Hertfordshire.

We have a team of expert consultants who have wide experience in performing hernia repair surgery. With a consultant of your choice, you can expect fast access to diagnostic tests and scans, consultations and treatment.

Pricing for Hernia surgery at Spire Harpenden Hospital

We offer many ways to pay and our inclusive prices and access to payment plans make it easy and more affordable, even if you don’t have medical insurance.

Hernia repair - groin (Inguinal) - open surgery
Initial consultation [2] £195
Treatment price[3] from £3,484
Aftercare[4] Included
Price[1] from £3,679
Monthly treatment price

(Loan applicable to the treatment cost and excludes the initial consultation)

from £178
Representative example
Loan amount £2,984
Deposit £500
Loan period 18 months
Representative APR 9.9%
Total amount repayable £3,204

[1]The price shown is the ‘from price’ (ie the minimum cost of the procedure). Please note that for some procedures the actual price you are quoted may vary significantly and can increase depending on your choice of Consultant (who is an independent practitioner and not an employee of Spire). The fees charged by Consultants and Anaesthetists are set independently and are outside the control of Spire. The price may also vary depending on the type of anaesthetic, implant or drug used, and your medical history.

  • [2]Initial Consultation” covers your initial appointment with your Consultant. The price displayed is a guide only as consultant fees may vary.
  • [3]“Treatment” includes all the pre-assessment tests and the cost of the treatment, Consultant and Anaesthetist fees, nursing care, medication and food during your stay in hospital and any standard prosthesis. Your hospital stay is included as long as your Consultant advises is necessary.
  • [4]“Aftercare” includes your care after you leave hospital, including consultations and physiotherapy visits (up to the number stated in your treatment letter), removal of stitches, change of dressings and the medication you need for up to 14 days after you leave hospital. Note that some home aids are not included.

Disclaimer

Spire Healthcare Limited is registered in England and Wales 1522532. Registered office: 3 Dorset Rise, London EC4Y 8EN. Spire Healthcare Limited acts as a credit broker and offers credit products from Omni Capital Retail Finance. Spire Healthcare Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, registration number: 689975. Your application will be subject to a credit check using a recognised credit reference agency as part of our assessment process. Credit is subject to status, UK residents aged 18 years and over. For more information please visit http://www.omnicapitalretailfinance.co.uk/

Omni Capital Retail Finance Ltd finance options are subject to individual status and terms and conditions apply. Finance is provided by Omni Capital Retail Finance Ltd which is a credit intermediary. Spire Healthcare does not receive payment for introducing patients to lenders. All named here are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Omni Capital Retail Finance Ltd is registered in England and Wales 7232938. Registered address: 10 Norwich Street, London, EC4A 1BD. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, Firm Reference Number: 720279.

Spire Harpenden Hospital can provide you with a single, fixed price for your procedure so there are no surprises. Please read Spire Healthcare's terms and conditions for full details of what’s included and excluded in your fixed price when paying for yourself. Finance options are available through our partner Omni Capital Retail Finance Ltd, 10 Norwich Street, London, EC4A 1BD.

Procedures offered for hernia surgery at Spire Harpenden Hospital

We offer a variety of techniques for inguinal 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.

Lichtenstein tension-free mesh repair

An open surgery technique typically performed with either local or spinal anaesthetic which means you’ll be awake but unable to feel pain in the area being operated on. Your abdominal wall is repaired using mesh.

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Preparing for hernia repair surgery at Spire Harpenden Hospital

Getting here

We have excellent road links to the M1 and A1(M) and are five minutes from Harpenden train station. Other public transport options are available. We have free on-site parking for you and your visitors.

Your consultation

You’ll meet your chosen consultant in one of our 27 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.

Hernia surgery: your 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 64 private, en-suite rooms, all of which have:

  • TV
  • Window
  • En-suite bathroom
  • Table over bed
  • Side table
  • Telephone

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 around four to six 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

Inguinal hernia repair surgery typically takes under one hour.

Hernia surgery: your recovery

After surgery

It’s normal to feel some pain or discomfort after hernia surgery, so to make your recovery easier, our nurses will give you medication to help you manage pain.

Going home

Your consultant will be able to advise you on your expected recovery time, based on the surgery you had and your overall health. For most people, you should be back to your usual activities in around six weeks. You’ll return for a check-up appointment with your consultant a few weeks after your operation.

Although everyone’s different and your consultant will be able to give you advice specific to you, here’s a typical recovery timeline:

0-1 days

Leave hospital

1-2 weeks

Light activities, such as shopping and desk-based work

4-6 weeks

Back to normal activities

  • 0-1 days


    Leave hospital

  • 1-2 weeks


    Light activities, such as shopping and desk-based work

  • 4-6 weeks


    Back to normal activities

The treatment described on this page may be adapted to meet your individual needs, so it's important to follow your healthcare professional's advice and raise any questions that you may have with them.

How to get to us

We have excellent road links to the M1 and A1(M), and are five minutes from Harpenden train station.

Find us on Google maps

Use geographic coordinates/what3words

Spire Harpenden Hospital,

Ambrose Lane
Harpenden
Hertfordshire
AL5 4BP

Get in touch

37928
True
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https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/inguinal-hernia-repair/
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1534281-overview
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/inguinal-hernia/symptoms-causes/syc-20351547
https://gi.surgery.ucsf.edu/conditions--procedures/inguinal-hernia.aspx
http://www.britishherniasociety.org/for-patients/what-does-surgery-involve/