Hernia Repair
Inguinal Hernia Repair
Inguinal hernia is a lump or protrusion in the groin related to muscle weakness in the lower abdomen. It is a very common problem that can only be remedied by surgery.
Treatment Of Inguinal Hernia
Inguinal hernia repair can be performed using minimally invasive (key hole) surgery or an open technique. For improved outcome and reduced recurrence, a permanent prosthetic is usually placed to reinforce the hernia site.
Laparoscopic
Laparoscopic repair is the most common minimally invasive technique used to treat groin hernia. This is performed with laparoscopic (key hole) incisions, accessing the space behind the lower abdominal muscles to perform the repair.
Recovery from laparoscopic groin hernia surgery is associated with smaller incisions, quicker return to normal activities, reduced infection rate and lower rates of chronic nerve related pain.
Open
Open repair is surgery performed through open incision and similarly a prosthetic is usually placed to reinforce the muscle. This technique is performed when clinically appropriate and is associated with good long-term outcomes.
Short term recovery from open surgery is longer than minimally invasive surgery.
Inguinal hernia surgery can be performed via day surgery or overnight stay.
Your surgeon will have a detail conversation about the operation and the risks associated with surgery as part of your informed consent.
Umbilical & Epigastric Hernia Repair
Umbilical hernia is an abnormal protrusion of abdominal content through the muscular layer of the abdominal wall close to the umbilicus ‘belly button’. These are common in both me and women and can be repaired through minimally invasive or open surgery.
Treatment of Hernia
Umbilical hernia repair can be performed using minimally invasive (key hole) surgery or an open technique. Suture only repair can be utilized for smaller hernias, however larger hernias often require permanent prosthesis to reinforce the hernia site to reduce recurrence.
This operation usually requires general anaesthetic and requires admission to hospital as day surgery or overnight stay.
Your surgeon will discuss the appropriate technique required to repair the hernia at consultation.
Ventral & Incisional Hernia Including Component Separation
Incisional Hernias can result from any operation on the abdomen, but generally occur at scar sites and depending on size can be complex to repair.
Treatment of Hernia
The specific repair technique appropriate to treat an incisional or ventral hernia is individualised and requires work up and planning by your surgeon. This can involve Imaging and multiple appointments prior to surgery. Most incisional hernia operations require permanent prosthesis to prevent recurrence.
Open
Open surgery is offered.
Usually this utilises your previous surgical scar. Recovery from open surgery can vary depending on the complexity of operation.
Minimally invasive Surgery
Robotic or Laparoscopic surgery is offered.
This technique utilises small incisions (Key hole) and enhances recovery with shorter hospital admission and quicker return to normal activities.
Rectus Divarication
Rectus Divarication is the separation of the rectus abdominus ‘six pack muscle’.
Although not a true hernia this can rarely require repair. This can be performed by minimally invasive techniques Robotic (direct to Robotic hernia page) or Endoscopically
*Dr Ciccocioppo is happy to discuss rectus divarication during consultation.