Inguinal hernias are a condition that leads to repair surgeries in over 20% of men and more than 5% of women in the population. They are caused by a genetically inherited variant of connective tissue structure. Therefore, inguinal hernias are not the result of heavy labor, sports, or physical exertion, but rather a consequence of the tissue structure encoded in our genes.

Inguinal hernias, being a mechanical defect of the abdominal wall, cannot be treated pharmacologically and require surgical intervention. This surgery is mostly not urgent; however, the longer the patient delays the procedure, the larger the hernia becomes, making the surgery more complex and lengthening the postoperative rehabilitation period.

Since the end of the 20th century, hernia repairs have been performed using implants (hernia meshes). In recent years, laparoscopic methods have become the gold standard, replacing the classic Lichtenstein technique. This approach reduces postoperative pain as well as the percentage of patients suffering from chronic pain (lasting more than 3 months after surgery). Laparoscopic procedures are performed under general anesthesia, accessing the abdominal cavity, and the implant is placed in the preperitoneal space, behind the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall. This allows the implant to be freely positioned without fixation, stabilized by intra-abdominal pressure — a natural action of the patient’s body.

However, not all patients are suitable for laparoscopic surgery. Due to prior surgeries (e.g., pelvic or prostate cancer operations), surgical access may be complicated by adhesions, increasing the risk of injury to important anatomical structures (arteries, bladder). In such cases, the classic Lichtenstein method is recommended. The patient’s overall health may also contraindicate general anesthesia. Patients with severe heart or lung diseases do not benefit from laparoscopic surgery, and anesthesia may cause serious complications; therefore, open surgery is much safer for these patients.

The recovery period before returning to physical activity after laparoscopic surgery is shorter, approximately 2 weeks. For open surgery, it is about 3 to 5 weeks, which is not overly burdensome. After this period, there are no contraindications to engaging in sports or physical work.

An important factor in postoperative outcomes is the type of implant used. Hernia meshes are produced by many medical companies, but only a few provide detailed information about their parameters and conduct studies on their behavior in the human body. Therefore, it is worth asking your surgeon which material they use, as the implant remains in the patient’s body for life. At Swissmed Hospital, we use only implants from leading companies such as Bard-BD, Medtronic-Covidien, Aesculap, TZMO, and Meril. These products are supported by scientific literature, and the manufacturers disclose their parameters and production methods, cooperating with scientific societies to exchange information.