Laparoscopic hernia repair — keyhole surgery for inguinal, umbilical, and incisional hernias — by Dr. Srinivas Bojanapu at Dhaara Speciality Hospital, Yelahanka, North Bangalore. Day procedure. Home the same evening. Back to work in one week.
A hernia occurs when an organ or fatty tissue pushes through a weak spot in the surrounding muscle or connective tissue of the abdominal wall. The most common sign is a visible bulge — in the groin, navel, or around a previous surgical scar — that may be uncomfortable or painful, especially when coughing, lifting, or straining.
Hernias are extremely common in India — inguinal (groin) hernia is one of the most frequent surgical conditions affecting men. They do not heal on their own and almost always require surgical repair to prevent potentially dangerous complications.
No. A hernia is a structural defect in the abdominal wall — it cannot close on its own. It will only get bigger over time. The danger of waiting is strangulation — where the bowel or fat gets trapped, its blood supply is cut off, and emergency surgery becomes necessary within hours. Emergency hernia surgery carries significantly higher risk than planned elective repair.
Trusses and belts do not treat hernias — they only temporarily hold the bulge in. They do not prevent strangulation and can make subsequent surgery more difficult.
The most common type — a bulge in the groin where the abdominal wall is naturally weaker. Can be on one or both sides simultaneously (bilateral). Laparoscopic TEP or TAPP repair repairs both sides in a single operation through the same 3 small incisions. The gold standard in Bangalore.
Bulge at or near the navel — common in adults with obesity, multiple pregnancies, or previous abdominal surgery. Laparoscopic repair with mesh prevents recurrence. Particularly important to repair before it becomes symptomatic.
Hernia through a previous abdominal surgical scar — after caesarean section, appendectomy, bowel surgery, or any previous operation. Can be large and complex. Laparoscopic or robotic repair with mesh gives excellent results even for large incisional hernias.
Bulge in the upper thigh just below the groin crease — more common in women. Femoral hernias have a high risk of strangulation and should be repaired promptly after diagnosis. Laparoscopic TEP approach works well for femoral hernias.
Small defect in the midline above the navel — often presents as a tender nodule in the upper abdomen. Repaired laparoscopically or through a small open incision depending on size.
Hernia that has come back after a previous repair — often because the original repair was done without mesh or had technical issues. Dr. Srinivas specialises in recurrent hernia repair, which is technically more challenging than primary repair due to scar tissue.
Modern hernia repairs use a lightweight polypropylene mesh to reinforce the abdominal wall defect. The mesh:
Mesh-related complications (chronic pain, infection, migration) are rare and almost always avoidable with proper surgical technique. Dr. Srinivas uses high-quality, low-weight mesh products with an established safety record.
No. A hernia is a permanent structural defect in the abdominal wall — it cannot heal on its own and will only get larger over time. The risk of waiting is strangulation, where the bowel gets trapped, its blood supply cuts off, and emergency surgery is required within hours. Emergency surgery carries significantly higher risk (mortality rate 5–10% for strangulated hernia) compared to elective planned repair. If you have a hernia diagnosis, get it repaired electively before it becomes an emergency.
For bilateral (both sides) inguinal hernia, laparoscopic repair is clearly superior — both sides are repaired through the same 3 tiny incisions in one operation, with less pain and faster recovery. For unilateral primary inguinal hernia, both techniques have comparable recurrence rates. Laparoscopic repair has the advantages of less post-operative pain, faster return to work, and no large groin wound. Dr. Srinivas will advise the best approach for your specific case.
TEP (Totally Extra-Peritoneal) repair is a laparoscopic technique where the surgeon repairs the hernia through a space between the abdominal muscles and the abdominal lining — without entering the abdominal cavity. This avoids the bowel entirely. Three small incisions (5–12mm) are used. A mesh is placed to reinforce the defect. TEP is the preferred technique at most high-volume hernia centres, including Dr. Srinivas's practice in Yelahanka, Bangalore.
After laparoscopic hernia repair: home the same day or next morning. Desk work from day 5–7. Driving from day 7. Light exercise from week 2. Heavy lifting and gym from week 4. This is significantly faster than open hernia repair (1–2 days hospital, 3–4 weeks before desk work).
Yes. Dr. Srinivas Bojanapu performs laparoscopic hernia repair at Dhaara Speciality Hospital, Yelahanka — serving patients from Yelahanka, Hebbal, Jakkur, Devanahalli, Sahakar Nagar, Thanisandra, and the Kempegowda Airport Road corridor in North Bangalore. No need to travel to South Bangalore or the city centre for specialist hernia surgery.
Yes. Laparoscopic hernia repair is covered by most major health insurance policies in India — Star Health, HDFC Ergo, Bajaj Allianz, United India, and corporate group health policies. It is also included in Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) coverage for eligible beneficiaries. Dr. Srinivas's team at Dhaara Speciality Hospital, Yelahanka will help with pre-authorisation and paperwork.
Yes. Recurrent hernia repair is more technically challenging due to scar tissue from the previous operation, but it can be done effectively laparoscopically by an experienced surgeon. Dr. Srinivas has subspecialty HPB and advanced laparoscopic training that prepares him for complex re-do hernia cases. Send your previous surgical records and a scan on WhatsApp for an assessment.
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