Belly-wall or navel hernia: keyhole or open repair?
The short answer
Both repair the weak spot, usually with a mesh, under general anaesthesia. Keyhole uses 3–4 small cuts and a mesh placed inside; open uses one cut over the hernia.
Keyhole (laparoscopic)
- How it is done
- 3–4 small cuts, a camera, and a mesh placed inside to reinforce the abdominal wall.
- Operation time
- 60–90 minutes
- Hospital stay
- Usually 1 day
- Back to daily life
- Walking 1–2 days; driving 5–7 days; office work 1–2 weeks.
- Heavy lifting
- About 90 days (3 months).
- Hernia coming back
- 4–8%
- Bruise
- 2–8%
- Fluid collection
- 3–6%; temporary.
- Wound infection
- Under 2%
- Nerve injury (numbness or pain)
- 1–3%; usually temporary.
- Mesh infection
- Under 2%; rarely needs removal.
- Long-lasting pain
- 1–2%; usually mild.
Open
- How it is done
- A cut over the hernia; the tissue is returned and the weak spot repaired, often with a mesh.
- Operation time
- Depends on the size of the hernia.
- Hospital stay
- Usually 1–2 days
- Back to daily life
- Walking within hours; driving and light office work after about 10–14 days.
- Heavy lifting
- About 90 days (3 months).
- Hernia coming back
- 5–15%, depending on weight, cough, straining and diabetes.
- Bruise
- 2–5%
- Fluid collection
- 5–10%; often settles on its own.
- Wound infection
- 2–5%
- Nerve injury (numbness or pain)
- 1–5%; usually temporary.
- Mesh infection
- Under 2%; may need removal if it persists.
- Long-lasting pain
- Not given in our guide.
How the choice is made
Your surgeon chooses with you, based mainly on the size and position of the hernia, earlier surgery, your weight and your health.
The figures come from our two separate guides, not from one trial comparing the two operations.
This page gives general information and does not replace the advice of your treating team. Figures are approximate.