Hernia repair
Recurrent hernia repair
A hernia that has returned at the site of a previous repair. The second operation is planned differently from the first — usually approaching from a different plane.
In plain language
What this operation is
A recurrent hernia is one that has come back where a repair was already done. It can appear months or many years later.
Recurrence happens for several reasons: tension on the original repair, infection at the time, heavy straining afterwards, smoking, weight gain, or a mesh that was too small for the defect.
The key principle in repairing it is to approach through tissue that has not already been operated on. If the first repair was open, a laparoscopic approach reaches the defect from behind, through a plane free of scarring — and the reverse can also apply.
Who it is for
When this operation is advised
- A bulge returning at the site of a previous hernia repair
- Discomfort or dragging at an old repair site
- A defect that is enlarging again
- Any recurrent hernia that becomes painful or irreducible — as an emergency
And when it is not. A repair that feels firm with no bulge is not a recurrence. Swelling in the early weeks after surgery is common and usually settles — it should be assessed rather than assumed.
How it works
From assessment to follow-up
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01
Assessment
Examination, and usually imaging to establish the size and position of the recurrence and what the previous repair involved.
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02
Reviewing the first operation
What was done before — open or keyhole, mesh or not — directly determines the best approach this time.
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03
The operation
Usually approaching through an unoperated plane, with mesh placed to cover the defect widely.
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04
Afterwards
Activity restrictions, and attention to the factors that contributed to the recurrence.
Afterwards
What recovery involves
Recovery differs between patients. What follows is what usually happens — your own timeframe is given at discharge, based on the operation you actually had.
- Recovery is usually a little longer than after a first-time repair.
- Some firmness and swelling over the repair can persist for weeks.
- Activity restrictions tend to be more prolonged, and the specific period is given at discharge.
- Weight control, stopping smoking and avoiding heavy straining all protect the second repair.
When to go to hospital instead
If the recurrence becomes hard, very painful and will not push back in — especially with vomiting — go to a hospital the same day.
Common questions
Questions patients ask
Anything not covered here can be answered at the consultation.
01 Why did my hernia come back?
Common reasons are tension on the original repair, infection at the time of the first operation, heavy straining afterwards, smoking, weight gain, or a mesh that did not cover the defect widely enough. Often more than one factor is involved.
Cause02 Is a second repair more difficult?
Generally yes, because of scar tissue from the first operation. That is why the second repair usually approaches from a different plane — reaching healthy tissue rather than working back through scar.
Complexity03 Can it come back a second time?
It can, which is why the approach is planned carefully and why the contributing factors matter. Following the activity guidance given at discharge is part of protecting the repair.
RiskNext step
Bring your reports to a consultation
Often one visit is enough to know whether an operation is needed at all.