Inguinal Hernia Surgery: Laparoscopic Repair in Netanya and Tel Aviv

An inguinal hernia does not heal on its own; surgery is the only way to repair it. In most cases I operate laparoscopically, through three 5–10 mm incisions, and most patients go home the next morning.

What is an inguinal hernia?

An inguinal hernia is a bulge of fat or a loop of bowel through a weak spot in the abdominal wall in the groin. It is the most common abdominal wall hernia and is about eight times more frequent in men than in women. A femoral hernia forms nearby; it is more common in women and carries a higher risk of strangulation.

Risk factors include age, heavy physical work, chronic cough, constipation, an enlarged prostate, excess weight and family history.

Symptoms

• A bulge in the groin that appears when standing or straining and disappears when lying down.
• Heaviness, dragging pain or burning in the groin, especially at the end of the day or after exertion.
• In men, the hernia can descend into the scrotum.

When to seek urgent care. If the bulge becomes hard and painful, cannot be pushed back, the skin over it turns red, or you develop nausea and vomiting, it may be strangulated. Do not wait for an appointment — go to the emergency department.

Do you need surgery?

A hernia that causes symptoms is an indication for planned surgery. Hernias grow over time, and a large hernia is harder to repair. Femoral hernias and hernias in women should be repaired without delay.

How I operate

Every modern technique reinforces the weak spot with a mesh. The operation takes about an hour under general anesthesia. I choose the method for each hernia:

• TAPP (transabdominal preperitoneal repair): access through the abdominal cavity. Suits inguinal and femoral hernias, bilateral and recurrent hernias, and large inguinoscrotal hernias.
• TEP (totally extraperitoneal repair): the mesh is placed without entering the abdominal cavity. Well suited to small and medium inguinal and femoral hernias.
• e-TEP (extended TEP): gives a larger working space, useful for large and recurrent hernias.
• Open Lichtenstein repair: a 6–8 cm groin incision, possible under local or spinal anesthesia. I use it when general anesthesia is undesirable or laparoscopy is contraindicated.

Laparoscopy means less pain after surgery, a faster return to work and less chronic groin pain. Bilateral hernias are repaired through the same incisions.

Recovery

• Discharge: The next morning
• Walking, showering: Walking the same day, showering the next day
• Driving: After 2 days, once you can brake hard without pain
• Desk work: After 1 week
• Sport and heavy lifting: After 2–3 weeks

Pain in the first days is moderate and controlled with ordinary painkillers. Mild swelling and bruising in the groin are normal. Follow-up visit after 7–10 days.

Risks

This is a safe, planned operation, but like any surgery it carries risks: seroma (a fluid collection in the groin that usually resolves on its own), bleeding, difficulty passing urine in the first hours, chronic groin pain and recurrence. We discuss the risks in your case at the consultation.

Where I operate and insurance coverage

• Private: Assuta, Raphael, Herzliya Medical Center, Atidim.
• Public: Laniado Hospital, Netanya.
• Health funds and insurers: Maccabi, Leumit (Shaban), Clalit (Mushlam), Menora and Clal. With other insurers I see everyone for consultation and operate on patients whose policies have not changed since 2016.

Frequently asked questions

Can a hernia heal without surgery? No. A hernia belt may ease discomfort for a while, but it does not close the defect.

Is the mesh safe? Mesh is the standard treatment for inguinal hernia in adults. It lowers the risk of recurrence and is not felt after recovery.

What anesthesia is used? General for laparoscopy. Open repair can be done under local or spinal anesthesia.

What if I have hernias on both sides? Laparoscopically, both sides are repaired in one operation through the same three incisions.

Can the hernia come back? The recurrence rate after mesh repair is low.

See also

Umbilical hernia · Diastasis recti · About me

Book a consultation

I see patients in Netanya and Tel Aviv.

Netanya: appointments via clinic WhatsApp 054-8279900
Tel Aviv: appointments by phone and WhatsApp 052-4713672
A question for me directly: 055-5020812 or the contact form