Hernia Surgery Brisbane & Gold Coast

What is involved in groin hernia surgery?

Groin hernia (inguinal/femoral) is performed by key-hole laparoscopic surgery and achieves a long-term cure rate of close to 100%. Key-hole surgery is most suitable for patients with bilateral (both sides) groin hernias and has been shown to reduce postoperative pain and allow earlier return to work compared to open surgery.

A/Prof Terence Chua performs key-hole surgery by making 3 key-hole incisions on the abdomen and placement of a permanent mesh that forms a scaffold for scar plate formation to cover the defect in the abdominal wall musculature. Patients recovering from groin hernia surgery laparoscopic or open will need to ensure that they are able to properly pass urine, avoid strenuous physical activity, heavy lifting (>5-10kg) and cycling for a duration of 4 weeks after surgery. Dressings on the surgical wounds can be removed after 5-7 days.

What causes abdominal hernias?

Umbilical, epigastric and incisional hernias occur along the midline of the ventral abdominal wall. The ageing process combined with tensile forces from the physical activity and abdominal obesity exerts a biomechanical effect on the linea alba, which is the fibrous structure that runs down the midline of the abdomen, where hernias develop. At times, other medical conditions such as chronic coughing from asthma and chronic straining due to prostate disease can exacerbate these biomechanical stresses on the linea alba.

What is involved in abdominal hernia surgery?

A/Prof Terence Chua is a Hernia Surgeon who performs key-hole hernia surgery across Brisbane, Redland, Sunnybank and the Gold Coast, Queensland.

Ventral hernias are repaired by open or key-hole laparoscopic surgery. Umbilical and epigastric hernias are often repaired as a day-case or overnight stay. Incisional hernias and recurrent incisional hernias may require advanced repair techniques of component separation and hence may prolong your hospital stay to 3-5 days. At times, special dressing with a vacuum pump may be used on open hernia surgery wounds as they have been shown to reduce wound infection rates. All dressings should be left intact for at least 7 days prior to removal. An abdominal binder is useful to provide support to the abdominal wall during the recovery process.

What is recovery like after hernia surgery?

Avoid strenuous physical activity and heavy lifting (>5-10kg) for at least 4 weeks after surgery to avoid recurrence of your hernia.