How long does incisional hernia repair surgery take?

The duration of the surgery depends on the size and complexity of the hernia. A straightforward repair may take one to two hours, while a more complex abdominal wall reconstruction can take longer. Your surgeon will give you an estimate based on your specific case.

Will I need to stay in hospital?

Most patients undergoing open incisional hernia repair will need to stay in hospital for one to three nights. This allows for adequate pain control, monitoring for complications, and ensuring your bowel function returns before you go home.

What is the recovery time?

Initial recovery takes around two to four weeks, during which you should avoid strenuous activity. Full recovery, including the return to heavy lifting and vigorous exercise, typically takes six to twelve weeks. We will provide you with a detailed recovery plan.

Is there a risk the hernia will come back again?

With a well-executed mesh repair, the recurrence rate is typically less than 10%. Factors that can reduce this risk further include not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding heavy lifting for the recommended period after surgery.

Home Treatments General SurgeryIncisional Hernia Repair

01709 464200 Enquire Now

Incisional Hernia Repair (Open Surgery)

CQC Good RatedConsultant-Led CareAll-Inclusive PricingNo GP Referral0% Finance Available

An incisional hernia is a type of ventral hernia that occurs at the site of a previous abdominal surgery. It develops when the internal stitches used to close the muscle layer of the abdominal wall weaken or fail, allowing the underlying intestines or fatty tissue to push through. You may notice a bulge at or near your old scar that becomes more prominent when you stand up or strain.

Incisional hernias are a relatively common complication, affecting between 10-15% of patients who have had abdominal surgery. At Kinvara Private Hospital, our general surgeons have extensive experience in repairing these challenging hernias using robust, modern mesh techniques.

Medically Reviewed By

Mr Vasu Karri, Medical Director • Updated 2026-01-25

From £3,585

All inclusive price

0% finance over 12 months, find out more

Because incisional hernias develop in tissue that has already been surgically disrupted, they can be more complex to repair than primary hernias. The surrounding scar tissue must be carefully dissected, and the defect in the abdominal wall is often larger and less well-defined. Without proper surgical technique, these hernias have a high rate of recurrence.

We use a mesh-based repair, typically placing the mesh in the retromuscular (sublay) position, which is considered the gold-standard for incisional hernia repair. This provides a strong, tension-free repair that significantly reduces the risk of the hernia returning.

Diagnosis and Pre-Operative Planning

Diagnosis of an incisional hernia is usually based on a clinical examination. Your surgeon will examine your abdomen while you are standing and lying down and will feel for a gap in the muscle layer beneath your scar. For smaller or more complex hernias, a CT scan of the abdomen is often arranged. This provides a detailed picture of the size of the defect, its contents, and the quality of the surrounding muscle, which is essential for planning the repair.

Pre-operative optimisation is important for achieving the best surgical outcome. If you are overweight, we will discuss strategies for weight loss before surgery. If you smoke, we will strongly encourage you to stop, as smoking significantly increases the risk of wound complications and recurrence. We will review your medical history and any medications you are taking and arrange any necessary pre-operative tests.

Understanding Incisional Hernias

After any abdominal surgery, the surgeon closes the wound in layers. The deepest layer, the fascia, is the strong fibrous tissue that holds the abdominal muscles together and keeps the internal organs in place. If this layer does not heal properly or if the stitches give way, a gap can form. Over time, the pressure from inside the abdomen can push tissue through this gap, creating a hernia.

Incisional hernias can vary greatly in size. Some are small, involving only a finger-width defect, while others can be very large, containing a significant portion of the abdominal contents. Larger hernias can cause significant discomfort, make physical activity difficult, and lead to skin problems over the stretched, thinned skin covering the hernia. Without surgical repair, an incisional hernia will typically continue to enlarge and the risk of complications such as incarceration or bowel obstruction will increase.

Benefits of Surgery at Kinvara

Specialist expertise in complex abdominal wall reconstruction
Use of gold-standard retromuscular mesh placement for low recurrence
Thorough pre-operative planning including CT imaging
Focus on optimising patient health before surgery for best outcomes
Comprehensive post-operative support and follow-up

Why Do Incisional Hernias Develop?

Several factors increase the risk of developing an incisional hernia after abdominal surgery. One of the most significant is a post-operative wound infection, which can weaken the healing fascia. Technical factors during the original surgery, such as the type of suture material used and the closure technique, also play a role. Emergency surgery carries a higher risk of incisional hernia than planned, elective surgery.

Patient-related factors are equally important. Obesity places constant strain on the abdominal wall and is a major risk factor. Smoking impairs blood flow and tissue healing. Conditions that cause chronic coughing (such as COPD) or straining (such as constipation or difficulty urinating) increase intra-abdominal pressure. Diabetes and the use of immunosuppressive medications can also impair wound healing. Addressing modifiable risk factors such as weight and smoking before your repair surgery can significantly improve your outcome.

Open Mesh Repair

Conservative Management

For patients with significant medical comorbidities that make surgery high-risk, or for those who choose not to have surgery, an abdominal support binder can be worn to provide some symptom relief. However, this will not prevent the hernia from enlarging or eliminate the risk of complications. It is a management strategy, not a cure.

Surgical Options

The gold-standard for incisional hernia repair is open mesh hernioplasty. The operation involves making an incision over the old scar, carefully freeing the hernia sac from the surrounding tissues, and reducing its contents back into the abdomen. The edges of the fascial defect are then identified. A synthetic mesh, typically made of polypropylene, is placed behind the muscles (in the 'sublay' or retromuscular position) to bridge the gap. This position allows the mesh to be held in place by the natural intra-abdominal pressure. The muscles are then closed over the mesh, and the skin is sutured. This technique is highly effective, with recurrence rates typically less than 10%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick Navigation

Need Help?

Our expert team is here to answer your questions.

01709 464200 enquiries@kinvarahospital.co.uk

Book Your Consultation

Take the first step towards a pain-free life. Our expert consultants are ready to discuss your treatment options and answer all your questions.

schedule

Fast Response

We aim to respond to all enquiries within 60 minutes (within working hours)

payments

Transparent Pricing

Get a clear, upfront quote with no hidden costs

Or Contact Us Directly

01709 464200

enquiries@kinvarahospital.co.uk