Q19. What are the risks of hernia surgery?

A19. Hernia surgery is a very safe form of surgery which also gives good results. However, no operation is 100% risk free although these tend to be rare.

There are side effects and then there are complications. Side effects include an adverse reaction to general anaesthesia (very rare), infection (although antibiotics are given during mesh repair surgery) and pain following surgery.

Some people find that they are sick after a general anaesthetic although they can be given an injection to deal with this.

Complications include:

• Development of a blood clot
• Haematoma (bleeding underneath the skin)
• Difficulty in passing urine or faeces
• An unpleasant discharge from the wound
• Fever
• Intense pain
• Nausea and/or vomiting

If you experience some or all of these then contact your surgeon immediately.

The risks as well as the benefits of surgery will be explained to you during your consultation with the surgeon.

FAQS Index:

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• Hernia FAQs Intro
• What is a hernia?
• Is there more than one type
• What is a hiatus hernia?
• What is an inguinal hernia?
• What is a femoral hernia?
• What is an umbilical hernia?
• What is an epigastric hernia?
• What is a spigelian hernia?
• What is an incisional hernia?
• What is a sports hernia?

• Who gets a hernia?
• What causes a hernia?
• Can children get hernias?
• What is the treatment for a hernia?
• Will I have to wear a truss?
• Is there an alternative to
• Can I have my hernia treated
• How much does hernia surgery
• What are the risks of hernia
• How long will I be off work?
• Can a hernia come back?

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