Inguinal Hernia Repair

Open Surgical Repair

An open hernia repair requires a 4- to 6-inch incision in the groin, approximately one inch above the crease in the groin. The tissue layers are divided until the hole is identified. The tissue around the hole is dissected to find strong, healthy tissue. The hole is then closed, either by suturing together the strong tissue on either side of the hole or by using nylon mesh to patch the hole. Following the repair, the layers of tissue are brought back together with sutures and the skin is closed with stainless steel staples, dissolvable sutures or non-dissolvable sutures.

Common questions

How long does open hernia surgery take?
Usually the operation takes from 30 minutes to one hour, depending on the size of the hernia and the type of anesthesia used.
Do I go home the same day after open hernia surgery?
Probably. Years ago, patients undergoing a hernia repair stayed in the hospital for a week or longer. Today, hernia repairs are done as outpatient procedures. Patients come in, have the surgery performed and go home after a brief period in the recovery room. Obviously, if they are not ready to go home or have other illnesses, such as heart disease, which require longer observation, they are kept overnight. Please rest assured that we do not send patients home unless they are ready. Generally, more than 95 percent of patients do go home on the same day and have no problems once they are home.

Laparoscopic Hernia Repair >>

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