Open Herniorrhaphy

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.

• Discharge
• Inpatient
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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

An open herniorrhaphy is surgery to repair a hernia.

HOW TO PREPARE:

The week before your surgery:

• Arrange to have someone drive you home from surgery.
• Tell your surgeon about all medicines you currently take. He or she will tell you if you need to stop any medicine for surgery, and when to stop. He or she will tell you which medicines to take or not take on the day of surgery.
• Your surgeon may want you to wear a binder (tight support clothing) around your abdomen until surgery.
• You may need an ultrasound or a CT scan to help plan your surgery.

The night before your surgery:

You may be told not to eat or drink anything after midnight.

The day of your surgery:

• You or a close family member will be asked to sign a legal document called a consent form. It gives healthcare providers permission to do the procedure or surgery. It also explains the problems that may happen, and your choices. Make sure all your questions are answered before you sign this form.
• Take only the medicines your surgeon told you to take.
• An IV will be put into a vein. You may get liquid or medicine through the IV.
• An anesthesiologist will talk to you before your surgery. Tell him or her if you or anyone in your family had a problem with anesthesia. You may be given general anesthesia to keep you asleep and free from pain during surgery. You may instead be given local anesthesia to numb the surgery area.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN:

What will happen:

• Your surgeon will make an incision in the skin beside your hernia. Bulging tissues and extra fat from the hernia will be removed. If your hernia contains an organ part, such as bowel, the organ will be pushed back into place. The hernia will be removed.
• Your surgeon may use stitches to tighten tissues and muscles in your abdomen. Weak muscles may be covered with mesh to help keep tissues and organs in place. Drains may be placed in the surgery area to remove blood or extra fluid.
• The incision will be closed with stitches and covered with bandages.

After your surgery:

You will be taken to a room to rest until you are fully awake. Healthcare providers will monitor you closely for any problems. Do not get out of bed until your healthcare provider says it is okay. When your healthcare provider sees that you are okay, you will be able to go home or be taken to your hospital room.

CONTACT YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IF:

• You have a fever.
• You get a cold or the flu.
• Your hernia has grown bigger, is more painful, or feels warm to the touch.

Seek Care Immediately if

• You are not able to have a bowel movement.
• You have severe pain in your abdomen.

Risks

You may bleed more than expected during surgery. Your nerves, blood vessels, or organs may get damaged during surgery. You may get an infection or extra fluid in the hernia area. If mesh was used during your surgery and it moves out of place, you may need to have surgery again. You may continue to have pain or numbness in the hernia area. If you are a man, your testicles may swell or become infected. You may get a blood clot in your leg. This may become life-threatening. Even after surgery, you may get another hernia.

Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions

Care Agreement

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