How long does inguinal hernia surgery take?
Nov 05, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Lei
Introduction
In general, the duration of inguinal hernia surgery depends on the surgical approach. Laparoscopic minimally invasive surgery typically takes 30–60 minutes, while traditional open surgery usually requires 40–90 minutes. The exact duration may vary depending on the complexity of the condition. After surgery, it is important to keep the incision clean and avoid activities that increase intra-abdominal pressure—such as vigorous coughing or straining during bowel movements—to prevent mesh displacement or hernia recurrence.
Generally, the duration of inguinal hernia surgery depends on the surgical approach. Laparoscopic minimally invasive surgery usually takes 30–60 minutes, while traditional open surgery requires 40–90 minutes. The exact time may vary depending on the complexity of the condition. Detailed analysis is as follows:
If laparoscopic minimally invasive surgery is performed, the procedure is carried out through 3–4 small abdominal incisions. This approach provides a clear surgical field and causes minimal trauma, without the need for extensive tissue dissection. For unilateral, simple inguinal hernias, the operation can be completed in 30–40 minutes. If the patient has bilateral hernias or mild adhesions of herniated contents, the procedure may take up to approximately 60 minutes, but overall efficiency remains high.
If traditional open surgery is chosen, a 4–6 cm incision is made in the inguinal region. Subcutaneous tissues must be dissected to locate the hernia sac and perform repair. For a simple unilateral hernia, the surgery typically lasts about 40–60 minutes. However, if the hernia sac is large or deeply situated, or if there are complications such as incarceration or adhesions of the herniated contents requiring additional management, the operation time may extend to 70–90 minutes.
After surgery, it is important to keep the incision clean and avoid actions that increase intra-abdominal pressure—such as severe coughing or straining during bowel movements—to prevent mesh displacement or hernia recurrence. Patients are generally encouraged to get out of bed and move around within 1–2 days after surgery, have sutures removed around one week postoperatively, and gradually resume normal activities over 1–3 months.
