Hernia surgery 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.

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.

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.

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.

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: