Abdominal wall hernias
A hernia is a protrusion of abdominal contents through a defect in the abdominal wall. Recognising the type, symptoms and warning signs is the first step towards a tailored treatment plan.
Common symptoms
- Visible or palpable bulge, often worsening with coughing or straining
- Heaviness, tension or discomfort in the affected area
- Pain during physical effort, sport or prolonged standing
- Localised burning or pulling sensation
Warning signs
A hernia that becomes hard, painful, no longer reducible or is associated with nausea, vomiting, fever or redness requires urgent surgical evaluation because of the risk of incarceration or strangulation.
The diagnosis is clinical and can be confirmed with dynamic ultrasound of the abdominal wall; CT or MRI are reserved for complex, recurrent or incisional hernias.
Main types of hernia
Inguinal hernia
The most common hernia, more frequent in men.
Read moreFemoral hernia
Protrusion through the femoral canal, more common in women.
Read moreUmbilical hernia
Defect at the umbilicus, often associated with rectus diastasis.
Read moreEpigastric hernia
Small midline defect between the sternum and the umbilicus.
Read moreIncisional hernia
Hernia at a previous abdominal scar.
Read moreTreatment options
- Open mesh repair for localised, primary or selected hernias
- Laparoscopic or robotic TAPP for inguinal and femoral hernias
- eTEP, peTEP, miSAR® and TAR for midline, ventral and incisional hernias
- Component separation for large or complex abdominal wall defects
Book a specialist assessment
A dedicated visit is essential to identify the type of hernia, assess the abdominal wall and choose the most appropriate surgical technique.
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