Treatment of abdominal hernia
The only way to cure an abdominal hernia is to repair it with surgery. But abdominal hernias in adults don’t always need to be repaired.
Your GP can discuss with you if surgery is the best option for you. This depends on many things, including the type of hernia you have, how big it is, and if it’s causing symptoms. Your doctor will also assess how likely your hernia is to cause complications. Surgery may be less suitable if you’re older or your general health means that it’s more of a risk.
Umbilical hernias in young children usually get better on their own. But your child may need surgery if the hernia is large or causing symptoms. Or if it hasn’t closed by itself by the time your child is four or five.
Watchful waiting
If your hernia isn’t causing many symptoms, your GP may suggest monitoring you. Your doctor may call this ‘watchful waiting’. That means you’ll only have surgery if you need it.
Speak to your doctor and make sure you’re comfortable with any decision. There may be things you need to consider, such as the risks of having surgery as you get older. Some types of hernia can be safely managed without surgery. But this depends on the type of hernia and its size. Your doctor will need to monitor your hernia to make sure it isn’t getting worse or developing complications.
Your hernia could be getting worse if:
- it’s becoming more painful
- you’re getting any constipation
- you’re feeling or being sick
Contact your GP straightaway if you have any of these signs.
Surgery
If your hernia is likely to cause complications, your doctor will recommend surgery. The surgeon will pull the hernia back into your tummy and repair the weakened muscle. This should prevent it happening again.
You may be able to have the surgery as a keyhole (laparoscopic) procedure. This means the operation is done through small cuts in your lower tummy. Or you may be offered open surgery with a single, larger cut. Both types of surgery have pros and cons, and your surgeon will discuss the best type of operation for you.
How long it takes to recover from surgery will depend on several things. These include where your hernia is, the type of surgery you’ve had, and your general health. If you have keyhole surgery, you’re likely to stay in hospital for less time and recover more quickly. In general, it can take up to six weeks to fully recover and get back to normal. You’ll gradually be able to build up your activity during this time. Don’t lift anything heavy while you’re recovering. You need to give your body time to heal before putting too much strain on the repair.
Types of abdominal hernia surgery
You can have surgery for many types of hernia. Your surgeon will explain what surgery involves in your case. They’ll also answer any questions you have.
Hernia repair with open surgery
You may have this operation under regional or general anaesthesia. A regional anaesthetic is injected into your spine and makes the lower part of your body numb. Depending on where the hernia is, your surgeon will make a single cut in your groin or lower abdomen. Then they’ll push the contents of the hernia back inside and repair the hole in the abdominal wall with stitches (sutures). They will then usually insert a synthetic mesh over the weak part of your abdominal wall to strengthen it. They’ll then close the cut using dissolvable stitches or other methods.
Hernia repair with keyhole surgery
You may also have keyhole surgery under regional or general anaesthesia. Your surgeon operates through several small cuts in your lower tummy or groin. They put the surgical instruments and a laparoscope (telescopic camera) through these cuts. First, your surgeon will pull the contents of the hernia back inside. As with an open repair, they will then repair any weakness in the abdominal wall and secure a synthetic mesh over it to strengthen it. They’ll then close the cuts with dissolvable stitches or other methods.
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