Hernia Surgery

The answer depends on the type of hernia, its size, your symptoms, and your overall health. A hernia does not heal on its own and usually tends to gradually enlarge over time. Delaying surgery for a long may lead to:

• Increase in hernia size, making repair more complex
• More discomfort during walking, coughing, or physical activity
• Weakening of the surrounding abdominal muscles
• Higher chances of complications such as intestinal obstruction or strangulation

Although these serious complications are uncommon, they can occur suddenly and may require emergency surgery, which is generally riskier than planned elective surgery. In most patients, planned surgery at the right time offers safer treatment, smoother recovery, and better long-term outcomes than waiting until complications develop. 

With significant advancements in minimally invasive surgery, including both laparoscopic and robotic techniques, most hernias today can be treated with greater precision and better outcomes compared to open surgery. These advanced approaches offer key benefits such as smaller incisions, less postoperative pain, faster recovery, and quicker return to daily activities. Even many large and complex hernias can now be effectively managed using advanced minimally invasive abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR). However, in selected cases involving very large or highly complex defects, open AWR remains the most suitable approach.

Yes, many hernia surgeries can be done as day care procedures, allowing patients to go home the same day without an overnight hospital stay, but not for all cases. Non-obese, medically fit, young patients below age 45, with uncomplicated hernias, are usually ideal candidates. With minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopic or robotic), recovery is often faster and more comfortable. In selected cases, even open inguinal hernia surgery under local anaesthesia may allow same-day discharge. Patient selection for daycare hernia surgery based on age, overall fitness, associated medical conditions, and the complexity of the hernia is very important.

Yes, open inguinal hernia surgery can often be performed without general anaesthesia. It may be done under local anaesthesia, where only the surgical area is numbed, or spinal anaesthesia, where an injection in the lower back temporarily numbs the lower half of the body.

In contrast, minimally invasive hernia surgery (laparoscopic or robotic) usually requires general anaesthesia.

Hernia surgery under local or spinal anaesthesia is especially beneficial for elderly patients or those with cardiac or lung conditions, where general anaesthesia may carry higher risk. In suitable patients.

The cost of laparoscopic hernia surgery would vary within a range, depending on the type of hernia, how large or complicated the hernia is, the facilities (infrastructure and the OT equipment) of the hospital, the type of mesh used and the type or accommodation/room selected. Laparoscopic Inguinal hernia surgery on a single side would cost somewhere between 75,000 and 125,000 Indian Rupees, and bilateral inguinal between 1,00,000 to 1,75,000 Indian Rupees. Laparoscopic Umbilical hernia surgery would cost somewhere between 95,000 and 1,50,000 Indian Rupees, and a laparoscopic Incisional hernia would cost somewhere between 1,25,000 and 2,00,000 Indian Rupees.

After minimally invasive hernia surgery (laparoscopic or robotic), most patients can get out of bed and walk within 3–4 hours after surgery. They can usually start a light diet on the same day. Most patients are discharged by the next day. Pain after surgery is generally mild to moderate and well controlled. In most cases, pain injections are not needed, and patients remain comfortable with oral painkillers once they start eating and drinking. Most patients need pain medication only for a few days. Recovery is usually quicker after inguinal and umbilical hernia surgery, while incisional hernia surgery may take a little longer to recover from because it often involves larger or more complex abdominal wall defects.

Most patients can return to desk or office work within a few days after minimally invasive hernia surgery. Heavy physical work and strenuous activities should be initiated after 3 months. Lightweight lifting (up to 5 kg) is usually allowed after 3 months, and heavier lifting can be increased gradually thereafter. Light jogging may begin after 1 month, while more intense exercise and sports can usually be resumed after 3 months. Sexual activity can be restarted gently whenever you feel comfortable.

Following laparoscopic hernia surgery, certain activity restrictions are important during the first few months to ensure proper healing and strengthen the repair site. This helps the surgical mesh integrate well with body tissues, promotes a smoother recovery, and reduces the risk of hernia recurrence.

• Treat cough or cold promptly to prevent excessive strain on the repair site.
• Prevent constipation by maintaining good hydration and a fiber-rich diet.
• Avoid bending forward frequently.
• Avoid yoga and other strenuous exercises for 3 months, or as advised by your surgeon.
• Avoid strenuous activities and lifting weights over 5 kg for the first 3 months after surgery.
• Gradually resume physical activity only as per your surgeon’s recommendations.

Robotic-assisted surgery is an advanced form of minimally invasive (keyhole) hernia surgery. Similar to laparoscopic surgery, it is performed through very small cuts, but the instruments are held by robotic arms instead of being directly handled by the surgeon. The robotic arms are fully controlled by the surgeon throughout the procedure.

The main advantage of the robot is its greater range of motion, improved flexibility, and enhanced precision. Robotic instruments closely mimic the movement of the human hand, allowing smoother and more precise movements inside the body.

Another important advantage is the minimal movement at the port site compared to laparoscopic surgery, which may help reduce postoperative pain and improve recovery.

Because of these advantages, many complex hernia surgeries that may be technically difficult with laparoscopic surgery, or may otherwise require conversion to open surgery, can often be completed using a keyhole approach with robotic assistance.

If cost is not a concern or robotic surgery is covered under your insurance policy, it can be a beneficial option to consider. However, if the additional cost of robotic surgery is a financial burden, a skilled and experienced laparoscopic surgeon can still achieve excellent outcomes without a robot.

The additional cost of a Robot in a hernia surgery is in the range of 1- 1.5 lakh Indian rupees, above the routine laparoscopic hernia surgery charges. These are the charges of the robotic instruments, which have a very short shelf life (meaning they can be used only for a fixed number of surgeries). The additional cost of robotic instruments will depend on how many instruments will be needed during the surgery and what instruments are chosen. So, depending on the type of hernia, hernia size, the complexity of the surgery, and your room category, Robot-assisted hernia surgery would cost in the range of 2.5 – 5 lacs Indian rupees at the current time.