Repairing your hernia

Over 75% of all hernias occur in the groin, of which the vast majority are primary inguinal hernias. Primary inguinal hernia repair remains one of the most frequently performed operations in the United Kingdom.

Each year around 95,000 procedures are undertaken within National Health Service hospitals and 25,000 procedures within the private sector. Hernias affect both men and women and can occur at all ages from neonates to the elderly. However, they are most common in men aged between 20-65 years. Usually, the suggested treatment is surgery. The old fashioned use of ‘truss-like’ devices is not now recommended. There are various surgical procedures used to repair hernias.

The 'mesh plug' repair technique

The University Hernia Clinic uses the latest ‘mesh plug’ repair technique. We believe that this technique offers greater benefits to patients than other procedures in terms of; less post-operative discomfort and a more speedy recovery. The technique has a very low incidence of complications and recurrence.

The 'mesh plug' repair technique was developed originally in the USA. It has been pioneered in the UK within the University Hernia Clinic, at St. Luke’s Hospital.

The technique was first undertaken within the UK in 1997 and has proved very successful. As a result, it can now be offered as the treatment of choice to patients in The University Hernia Clinic at St Luke’s Hospital.

Increasingly, a mesh repair has been used as standard in the management of primary inguinal hernia. This involves inserting a piece read more