Inguinal

Recurrent and bilateral hernias

Recurrent hernias occur at sites where a repair has been previously carried out. These can be repaired in the same way as discussed above but the surgery is more difficult because of the scar tissue from the previous operation. If attempts at repair have been made on a number of previous occasions I repair the hernia by approaching it from behind the abdominal muscles through a cut in the middle lower abdomen.

Bilateral hernias means a patient who has a hernia in both groins at the same time. These can be repaired under the same anaesthetic by doing each side with a separate incision. I commonly repair both sides at the same time through a single cut. The small incision is in the lower part of the abdomen and through this the area behind the abdominal wall is entered and the hernias repaired by placing a large mesh behind the abdominal muscles. This is known as a 'Stoppa' repair.