Laparoscopic Incisional Hernia Repair Specialist In Singapore

Laparoscopic incisional hernia repair is a minimally invasive surgical procedure aimed at repairing hernias that develop at the site of a previous surgical incision.

Dr Jonathan Foo Shuo Min
Dr Jonathan Foo Shuo Min
Senior Consultant General Surgeon
Dr Tan Yu-Meng
Dr Tan Yu-Meng
Director, Senior Consultant General Surgeon

What Is Laparoscopic Incisional Hernia Repair?

Laparoscopic Incisional Hernia Repair is a minimally invasive surgical technique employed to correct an incisional hernia – a type of hernia that emerges through an incision made during prior surgery. This technique utilises a laparoscope, a small camera device, to guide the surgeon in repairing the hernia internally, thereby minimizing the need for large external incisions and offering a quicker, less painful recovery.

Reasons For Doing Laparoscopic Incisional Hernia Repair

This surgical approach is typically indicated for patients who:

Experience Pain or Discomfort

An incisional hernia may cause notable discomfort, pain, or swelling, particularly when coughing, lifting, or straining. Repairing the hernia can alleviate these symptoms.

Have Larger Hernias

Incisional hernias that are large in size or increasing rapidly are often recommended for repair to prevent potential complications.

Have Complex or Recurrent Hernias

Laparoscopic technique is often favoured for complex or recurrent incisional hernias, as it offers a lower recurrence rate compared to open surgery.

Am I Eligible For Laparoscopic Incisional Hernia Repair?

Determining eligibility for laparoscopic incisional hernia repair is a collaborative decision made by the patient and surgeon. Eligibility factors often considered include:

  • Symptomatic incisional hernia: Patients experiencing discomfort, pain, or other symptoms related to their hernia are typical candidates.
  • Health status: Good overall health is usually necessary to tolerate the procedure and anaesthesia.
  • Prior surgical history: The surgeon will consider the patient’s past surgical history, particularly relating to previous hernia repairs.

Treatment Process

The Laparoscopic Incisional Hernia Repair is performed under general anaesthesia. Small incisions are made near the hernia site to allow the insertion of the laparoscope and specialized surgical instruments. The surgeon then uses these tools to place a mesh patch on the inside of the abdominal wall at the site of the hernia, reinforcing the area and preventing recurrence.

What To Know Before the Procedure

Health assessment

Your health status and medical history will be thoroughly evaluated.

Medications

Inform your doctor about all your medications, as some may need to be adjusted or stopped.

Fasting

Expect to fast for several hours before the procedure.

Assistance

Arrange for help at home during your initial recovery period.

Risks

Understand the potential risks associated with the procedure.

Post-op care

Know how to care for your wound and what activity levels to maintain.

Follow-ups

Understand when and how often you’ll need post-surgery appointments.

Cost

The cost of Laparoscopic Incisional Hernia Repair in Singapore can vary depending on several factors such as:

The location and size of the hernia will affect the price.

Surgical fees may vary based on the surgeon’s experience and the clinic’s reputation. For procedures that require general anaesthesia, that will also add to the overall cost.

If your procedure involves an overnight stay, this will affect the overall cost. Major operating rooms in private hospitals charge more than simple operating clinics.

Advantages of Laparoscopic Incisional Hernia Repair

  • Minimally invasive: Unlike traditional open surgery, this procedure involves smaller incisions, reducing the risk of wound complications.
  • Quicker recovery: Patients typically experience less postoperative pain and shorter hospital stays, returning to normal activities more rapidly.
  • Reduced scarring: Smaller incisions also lead to less noticeable scarring.
  • Lower risk of infection: The risk of surgical site infections is typically lower with laparoscopic procedures.

Risks of Laparoscopic Incisional Hernia Repair

  • General surgical risks: These include risks related to anaesthesia, bleeding, and infection.
  • Hernia recurrence: Despite the procedure’s effectiveness, there’s always a possibility of the hernia recurring.
  • Injury to nearby organs: Though rare, there’s a chance of unintentional injury to organs near the hernia.
  • Postoperative pain: While usually less than with open surgery, some postoperative pain or discomfort is expected.

What to Expect After Surgery

Hospital Stay

Most patients are discharged within 24 hours of the procedure.

Pain management

Postoperative pain is usually managed with oral painkillers.

Activity

Light activities can be resumed within a few days, but strenuous activity should be avoided for a few weeks.

Follow-up care

Regular follow-up appointments with your surgeon are essential to ensure optimal healing and recovery.

Is Your Hernia Affecting Your Quality Of Life?

Consult our colorectal surgeon for a comprehensive evaluation & personalised treatment plan.

Make an Enquiry
Dr Jonathan Foo Shuo Min

Dr Jonathan Foo Shuo Min

Senior Consultant General Surgeon

Dr Jonathan Foo has expertise in managing various General Surgical and Colorectal conditions. He excels at advanced endoscopic, open and minimally invasive (“key-hole”) techniques, as well as robotic surgery.

Dr Foo is a specialist Colorectal surgeon with comprehensive training in other minimally invasive(laparoscopic) General Surgical conditions such as hernia repair and gallbladder surgery.

  • MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine & Surgery, NUS) 2002
  • MRCSEd (Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh) 2007
  • MMed (Master of Medicine in Surgery) 2008
  • Further Advanced Training At the Minimally Invasive Colorectal Unit in Portsmouth, UK

Dr Foo firmly believes that every surgical procedures must be customized to the individual in order to achieve an optimal outcome for his patients.

Read Full Bio
Dr Tan Yu-Meng

Dr Tan Yu-Meng

Director, Senior Consultant General Surgeon

Dr Tan continues to be one of few surgeons in Asia who perform specialized surgery for peritoneal malignancies in Asia.

  • MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine & Surgery, First Class Honors & Distinction at the University of London) 1994
  • RCSEd (Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh) 1999
  • Further training in advanced HPB surgery and liver transplantation at the world renowned Liver Unit of Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
  • Further training in living donor liver transplantation in Japan.

With his interest in gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary-pancreatic (GI-HPB) surgery and the treatment of cancer, Dr Tan joined the department of surgical oncology at the National Cancer Centre in 2003 as a consultant.

Dr Tan’s interest in the management of peritoneal surface malignancies was part of his effort in leading a multidisciplinary team from NCC to Washington Cancer Institute to adopt the techniques and protocols of peritonectomy and HIPEC (Sugarbaker procedure) from Dr Paul Sugarbaker in 2009.

Read Full Bio

Reach Out To Us

We are committed to providing a one-stop experience, where you’ll receive a meticulous consultation and high-quality service in a comfortable environment.

Get Started

Book An Appointment





    image

    • Book An Appointment

    • Media Enquiry

    • Partnership Opportunity



    image

    For faster response, Call Us

    (65) 6733 3383



    Our clinics are under the following

    insurance panels

    For Singaporeans, Singapore Permanent Residents and Foreigners.
    Please speak to our friendly clinic staff about using your insurance plans.

    Laparoscopic Incisional Hernia Repair In Singapore

    Frequently Asked
    Questions

    Is the procedure painful?

    Any post-operative discomfort can be effectively managed with prescribed medications.

    Will I have a noticeable scar?

    Because of its minimally invasive nature, laparoscopic surgery results in much smaller scars than traditional open surgery.

    What is the recurrence rate for this procedure?

    The recurrence rate for laparoscopic incisional hernia repair is generally low, but can vary depending on individual factors such as the size of the hernia and the patient’s overall health.

    Can I return to work after the procedure?

    Most patients can return to work within a week or two after the surgery, but this depends on the nature of their job and the extent of the hernia repair.