Hernia repair

Hernias occur in the abdomen or groin and can affect both adults and children. There are different types, depending on their location and what caused it. Treating hernias is essential as they can potentially become life-threatening if left untreated.

At Guy’s and St Thomas’ Specialist Care, we offer expert-led hernia repair surgery for both adults and children. Our specialist gastrointestinal team has extensive experience in treating all types of hernia.

What is a hernia?

A hernia happens when an internal part of the body pushes through a weakness in the surrounding muscle or tissue wall. Usually, your muscles are tight enough to prevent this from happening. However, weak spots can develop for several reasons, allowing them to poke through.

Types of hernia

The most common type of hernia is an inguinal hernia – where a swelling or lump develops in your groin. The swelling can be painful and the lump will often appear when you try to lift something or lie down.

Other types of hernia include:

• femoral hernia – developing lower down than an inguinal hernia
• umbilical hernia – occurring near or below your belly button
• epigastric hernia – between your belly button and the lower part of your breastbone

Sometimes, you can push the lump back through the muscle wall, but it will poke out again once you release the pressure. If left untreated, hernias can grow larger and become more painful. Hernias will not disappear on their own and will require surgical repair.

Find out more about hernias in adults and children here.

How do I know if I need hernia treatment?

If you have a lump or bulge in any areas where a hernia can develop, you will need to book an appointment with a specialist. You might not need immediate treatment if your hernia is small and not causing you any problematic symptoms. However, hernias can worsen over time and potentially cause life-threatening complications, making a hernia repair necessary.

Our consultants will ask about your symptoms including any pain or feeling an aching or dragging sensation in your groin. If you’re diagnosed with a hernia, then surgery is needed.

Not all hernias will worsen over time, but there is no way of knowing this. So, having a hernia repair can be the right solution to futureproof your health.