Open inguinal hernia repair (female)

You should no longer have the hernia. Surgery should prevent the serious complications that a hernia can cause, helping you go back to your normal activities.

Inguinal hernias can be repaired using keyhole surgery and this may be appropriate for you. You will be able to discuss this with your surgeon if you would prefer this method.

You can sometimes control the hernia with a truss (padded support belt) or simply leave it alone. It will not get better without surgery.

Sometimes, the hernia can get larger with time. It can also be dangerous because your intestines or other structures within your abdomen can get trapped and have their blood supply cut off (strangulated hernia).

Symptoms that may suggest a strangulated hernia are:

• severe pain
• a hernia that will not disappear when you lie down
• vomiting

If you have any of these symptoms you must call your healthcare team immediately as you may need an urgent procedure.

Different kinds of anaesthetic are possible.

The procedure usually takes about 45 minutes. Your surgeon will make a cut in your groin and remove the 'hernial sac'. They will strengthen the muscle layer with stitches, usually inserting a synthetic mesh to cover the weak spot, and close your skin. Using a mesh is very safe and means the hernia is less likely to come back.

If you smoke, stopping now may reduce your risk of developing complications and will improve your long-term health.

Try to maintain a healthy weight. You have a higher risk of developing complications if you are overweight. Regular exercise should help to prepare you for the procedure, help you recover and improve your long-term health. Do not do exercises that involve heavy lifting or make your hernia painful. Before you start exercising, ask the healthcare team or your GP for advice.

The healthcare team are trained to reduce the risk of complications.

Any risk rates given are taken from studies of people who have had this procedure. Your doctor may be able to tell you if the risk of a complication is higher or lower for you. Some risks are higher if you are older, obese, have other health problems or you smoke. Health problems include diabetes, heart disease or lung disease.

Some complications may be serious and can even cause death.

General complications of any procedure

• Bleeding during or after the procedure.
• Allergic reaction to the equipment, materials or medication.
• Venous thromboembolism (VTE) — this is a blood clot in your leg (deep-vein thrombosis - DVT) or one that has moved to your lung (pulmonary embolus).
• Infection of the surgical wound.
• Chest infection — your risk is lower if you do not smoke or have stopped smoking, and have not had a recent cough or cold.

Specific complications of this procedure

• Developing a collection of blood (haematoma) or fluid (seroma) under your wound.
• Injury to structures that come from your abdomen and are within the hernia.
• Temporary weakness of your leg caused by the local anaesthetic affecting the nerves that connect to your thigh.
• Damage to nerves that supply the skin around your groin, leading to a numb patch.
• Continued discomfort or pain in your groin. This is usually mild but can be severe.
• The hernia coming back. This depends on several different factors. The hernia can come back many years later and you may need another procedure.

Consequences of this procedure

• pain
• scarring of your skin

You should be able to go home the same day.

Increase how much you walk around over the first few days.

Your surgeon will talk to you about your level of activity and return to work. This will depend on how much surgery you need and your type of work.

Regular exercise should help you to return to normal activities as soon as possible. Before you start exercising, ask the healthcare team or your GP for advice.

Most people make a full recovery and can return to normal activities.

An inguinal hernia is a common condition caused by a weakness in your abdomen, near the inguinal canal. If left untreated, an inguinal hernia can cause serious complications.