Hernia — Watchful Waiting or Repair?

The bulge is the symptom; the defect is the problem

A hernia is a defect in the abdominal wall, through which intra-abdominal contents (most often a loop of small bowel) protrude. The bulge is the symptom; the defect is the problem.

When watching is reasonable

For small, easily reducible, non-painful inguinal hernias in an asymptomatic adult, watchful waiting is reasonable. The rate of acute incarceration is low — often around 1–2% per year. But crossover to surgery over five years is high, because most patients eventually report discomfort.

When we repair

We operate when the hernia is painful, growing, irreducible, or symptomatic with daily activities. Femoral hernias, by contrast, we tend to repair even when small — the strangulation rate is much higher.

Laparoscopic repair (TAPP or TEP) has shorter recovery and less chronic pain than open mesh repair in skilled hands. Open repair remains valid, especially for recurrent or very large hernias. Mesh is the standard — recurrence rates are dramatically lower with it. The conversation is about *which* mesh and *which* technique, not whether to use one.

Book a consultation or contact the chamber nearest you.