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Laparoscopic Hernia Surgery in Mumbai 

Minimally Invasive Keyhole Hernia Surgery with Faster Recovery 

A hernia occurs when an internal organ or fatty tissue pushes through a weak spot in the surrounding muscle or connective tissue wall. Laparoscopic hernia repair is a minimally invasive surgical technique in which the hernia is repaired through small keyhole incisions using a laparoscope (a thin camera) and specialised instruments, rather than a large open cut. At Shree Hospitals, our expert general surgeons perform laparoscopic hernia repair for inguinal hernias, femoral hernias, umbilical hernias, incisional hernias, and epigastric hernias, delivering faster recovery, less post-operative pain, and earlier return to normal activities compared to open surgery.

What is Laparoscopic Hernia Repair?

A hernia develops when a weakness in the abdominal wall allows the contents of the abdomen - most commonly a loop of intestine or fatty tissue (omentum) - to protrude through. The most common type is the inguinal hernia (groin hernia), which accounts for approximately 75% of all hernias and is far more common in men due to the anatomical weakness created by the inguinal canal through which the spermatic cord descends. Other common types include umbilical hernias (through the navel), incisional hernias (through previous surgical scars), femoral hernias (below the groin crease, more common in women), and epigastric hernias (in the upper midline abdomen). Left untreated, hernias typically enlarge over time and carry the serious risk of incarceration (the hernia contents becoming stuck) and strangulation (the blood supply to the trapped contents being cut off), which is a surgical emergency.

Laparoscopic hernia repair addresses the hernia through three small incisions (usually 5 to 12mm) in the abdominal wall. A laparoscope - a thin tube with a high-definition camera - is inserted through one incision, providing a magnified view of the hernia defect on a video monitor. The hernia contents are gently reduced (pushed back) into the abdominal cavity and a synthetic mesh is placed to cover and reinforce the hernia defect in the abdominal wall. The mesh is fixed in position and the incisions are closed with dissolvable sutures. The two most common laparoscopic techniques are TAPP (transabdominal preperitoneal repair) - performed inside the abdominal cavity with a peritoneal flap covering the mesh - and TEP (totally extraperitoneal repair) - performed in the preperitoneal space without entering the peritoneal cavity.

At Shree Hospitals, our general surgery team performs laparoscopic hernia repair using high-definition 3D laparoscopy and lightweight mesh materials that integrate rapidly with the body's tissues, providing durable repair with minimal foreign body sensation. Bilateral inguinal hernias (both sides simultaneously) are repaired in a single operation with laparoscopy, offering a major advantage over open surgery which would require two separate incisions. Our day surgery programme allows most hernia patients to be discharged on the same day of surgery, returning home within hours of their procedure.

Who Needs Laparoscopic Hernia Repair?

• All symptomatic hernias causing pain, discomfort, or functional limitation
• Inguinal hernias in men and women - risk of incarceration increases over time
• Femoral hernias in women - high risk of incarceration; should be repaired promptly after diagnosis
• Umbilical hernias larger than 1cm causing symptoms or enlarging
• Incisional hernias (post-surgical) causing discomfort, enlarging, or at risk of complications
• Bilateral inguinal hernias - laparoscopy allows both sides to be repaired simultaneously in one procedure
• Recurrent hernias after previous open repair - laparoscopy is the preferred approach for recurrence

Is Laparoscopic Hernia Repair Right for You?

• You are medically fit for general anaesthesia
• The hernia is reducible (can be pushed back in manually) - irreducible hernias require emergency surgery
• You wish to return to work and normal activities as quickly as possible
• You have a bilateral inguinal hernia (both sides - ideally repaired together laparoscopically)
• You have a recurrent hernia after previous open inguinal surgery (laparoscopic approach avoids the scarred tissue of the previous repair)
• You have an active lifestyle and wish to minimise recovery downtime

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Our Approach To Laparoscopic Hernia Repair

At Shree Hospitals, every hernia repair is planned individually - assessing the hernia type, size, reducibility, and patient fitness to select the optimal surgical approach, mesh type, and fixation technique for the most durable, comfortable long-term result.

Accurate Hernia Diagnosis and Pre-Operative Assessment

Accurate hernia diagnosis begins with a clinical examination by the general surgeon to confirm the hernia location, type, size, and reducibility. Ultrasound of the groin or abdominal wall is performed where the diagnosis is uncertain or the hernia is not clearly palpable. CT scan is obtained for complex hernias (large incisional hernias, recurrent hernias, or multiple defects) to map the defect anatomy, assess the contents, and plan mesh sizing. Pre-operative blood tests, ECG, and anaesthetic assessment ensure the patient is fit for general anaesthesia. Antibiotic prophylaxis is administered at induction.

3D Laparoscopic Technique

Our surgeons perform laparoscopic hernia repair using 3D high-definition laparoscopy which provides stereoscopic depth perception, enhancing the precision of mesh placement and fixation. The TEP (totally extraperitoneal) approach is preferred for primary inguinal hernias as it avoids entry into the peritoneal cavity and reduces the risk of intra-abdominal adhesions. The TAPP (transabdominal preperitoneal) approach is used for recurrent hernias, incisional hernias, and cases where the anatomy is unclear. The hernia sac is carefully dissected free, the defect is measured precisely, and an appropriately sized lightweight mesh is placed to overlap the hernia defect by at least 3 to 5cm on all sides.

Mesh Selection and Fixation

The mesh used in laparoscopic hernia repair is a synthetic material (polypropylene or composite) that integrates with the abdominal wall over 6 to 8 weeks, providing permanent reinforcement. At Shree Hospitals, we use lightweight large-pore mesh (LPM) for inguinal repairs - these meshes cause less chronic mesh-related discomfort (the most important complication after hernia repair) and integrate more comfortably than older heavyweight meshes. Mesh fixation uses absorbable tacks or fibrin glue in most TEP repairs to avoid the chronic pain associated with permanent metal tacks. In TAPP repairs, the peritoneal flap is closed over the mesh with absorbable sutures.

Top General Surgeons Specialists in Mumbai

Every specialist at Shree Hospitals is board-certified and has an average of 15+ years of clinical experience in laparoscopic appendectomy, emergency surgery, perforated appendicitis management, and complex abdominal surgery.

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