A hernia is a protrusion of a viscus (an organ) beyond its normal limits and occurs in either the groin or the abdomen. This protrusion produces a swelling; if it clears on lying down, it is known as a reducible hernia, or if it fails to clear an irreducible hernia. Hernias can be painless, cause slight discomfort or be painful. They tend to get larger with time and can make it difficult to undertake normal activities.

Although hernias in adults can arise for a number of reasons some common examples are:

• Persistent heavy coughing,
• Injury or surgery,
• Lifting, carrying or pushing heavy loads
• Straining to produce a bowel movements
• Straining to urinate e.g. men who have an enlarged prostate
• Being overweight or pregnant

Those over 50 have a higher risk of hernia, possibly due to the muscles in the stomach wall becoming weaker with age.

The aim of our hernia repair is to have:

Minimal

• Incision
• Discomfort
• Loss of Leisure
• Shave
• Incapacity
• Loss of Work
• Hospital Stay
• Immobilisation
• Recurrence

Maximum 

• Strength

Patients are admitted on the day of operation and return home after physiotherapy, usually within 24 hours. The standard Rehabilitation Programme is then followed.