Hernia Specialist Singapore - Laparoscopic Hernia Repair

The Specialist Behind Your Care

Dr Thomas Ho

Senior Consultant, Hernia Repair Specialist

20+ Years of Clinical Experience

MBBS(Sydney), MMed(Surg), AFRCS(Ireland), FRCS(Edinburgh), FAMS(General Surgery), FSSO(USA)

Dr. Thomas Ho is a distinguished surgeon with expertise in general and Cancer Surgery, particularly in Head and Neck, Abdominal and Digestive cancers.

In 2009, he was awarded a MOH scholarship and completed a Surgical Oncology Fellowship in Canada, becoming one of the few surgeons in Singapore with this recognition. There, he trained in Head and Neck/Endocrine Surgery and Advanced Abdominal Surgery, focusing on cytoreductive surgery and heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS + HIPEC).

Prior to private practice, Dr. Ho founded the Head and Neck Surgery and Surgical Oncology service at Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Dr. Ho is experienced in laparoscopic (keyhole) and robotic-assisted surgery, which he routinely employs in the treatment of thyroid cancer, colorectal cancer, hernias, gallbladder diseases, adrenal and spleen disorders.

What is a hernia?

A hernia occurs when an internal part of the body protrudes through a weakening (defect) in the tissue surrounding it.

The common types of hernia that occur in patients generally result from a weakening in the musculature around the abdomen, leading to protrusion of internal viscera such as the intestine, omental fat or bladder.

Hernias will eventually require surgical repair as they generally do not resolve on their own. In severe cases, hernias can become a medical emergency if they become incarcerated or strangulated.

Types of hernia

Hernias are generally classified by the anatomical location at which they occur. The most common area for hernias to occur is around the groin (inguinal hernia) or front lower part of the abdomen.

Hernias can also appear in the upper thigh and groin areas. Examples are:

Inguinal hernia (most common type)
Femoral hernia (more common in women)

Another common anatomical location is around the front part of the abdomen. Examples are:

Umbilical/periumbilical hernia (around the belly button)
Ventral (incisional) hernia
Spigelian hernia

Symptoms and Treatment

Symptoms of Hernia and why you should seek treatment

Generally, a localised pain or discomfort is felt intermittently (on and off) around the hernia. This is due to the internal viscera ‘sliding’ in and out of the defect.

The most common symptom of a hernia is a bulge or lump in the affected area. In the case of an inguinal hernia, you may notice the hernia bump on either side of your pubic bone. You're more likely to feel your hernia through touch when you're standing up or bending down

Small hernias can progress and evolve into large hernias with increasing symptoms. Severe symptoms occur when the internal viscera that protrudes through remains stuck and unable to return to its original position:

If a loop of intestine is entrapped, you may experience:

Nausea
Vomiting
Constipation
Or Abdominal Distension

If medical attention is not sought quickly, that loop of bowel loses its blood supply and becomes gangrenous (dead). Such a situation is life-threatening.

Unfortunately, this is a frequent situation amongst some patients who have neglected a long-standing hernia.

Consult Dr. Thomas Ho

What is the treatment for a hernia?

As most hernias do not resolve on their own, surgery remains the most reliable form of treatment. Ideally, surgery should be performed while the hernia is small resulting in minimal symptoms. This reduces the risk of the hernia becoming incarcerated or strangulated.

The main idea of a hernia repair is to ‘seal’ the defect with a prosthetic material known as a mesh. By anchoring a mesh over the defect, the mesh material assimilates with the normal bodily tissue over time thereby ‘sealing’ and strengthening the musculature.

Hernia repair may be performed by open (traditional), laparoscopic (keyhole) or robotic-assisted approaches. The advantages of a laparoscopic repair are:

Reduced postoperative pain
Smaller scars
Smoother and faster recovery
Earlier return to function

What is the recovery after a hernia repair like?

After the hernia repair surgery is complete, you may experience some pain around the surgical site which can be managed with a course of pain medication.

Recovery after a laparoscopic hernia repair is swift and you are fit to return to daily physical activities within a few days.

You should avoid any forms of strenuous activity that might aggravate the wound for at least 4 weeks post-surgery. Most patients report feeling a lesser degree of pain after a laparoscopic hernia surgery or robotic repair surgery as compared to an open hernia surgery.

help center

Frequently asked questions

What is the process of getting a hernia surgery like?

Hernia surgeries fall into three main types: open hernia repair, laparoscopic (minimally invasive) repair, and robotic repair.

In open hernia repair surgery, the surgeon makes a single incision (around 6 to 8cm in length) close to the site of the hernia. The herniated tissue is then pushed back into the abdomen. A mesh will then be inserted in the abdominal wall in order to strengthen it while it heals. Your skin will be stitched together using bio-absorbable threads that dissolve naturally over the course of a few days.

This procedure is usually performed under regional or general anaesthesia. Rarely, it can be done under local anaesthesia especially when there are concerns with general anaesthesia risk.

In laparoscopic hernia surgery, several small incisions are used instead of one larger incision. Surgical gas is used to expand the space in which the surgeon operates. A mini scope called a laparoscope is then inserted through the tiny incision so that the surgeon can examine the groin for defects. Fewer stitches are needed for this surgery and surgical tape is usually used to seal the incision site. This procedure is performed under general anesthesia.

Robotic repair surgery is a relatively newer surgical technique for hernia repair. It is similar to laparoscopic hernia surgery as the surgeon uses tiny incisions and a laparoscope in order to examine in the abdomen and groin. In robotic repair surgery, however, the surgeon is seated at a console in the operating theatre and operates the medical equipment from the console. This surgical technique has the advantage of maneuverability within a tight operative space as well as providing 3D images compared to the 2D images of a conventional laparoscopic surgery.

What are the causes of a hernia?

Most hernias have no apparent cause. Some people may be predisposed towards developing hernias. Some of these factors and symptoms include:

Increased pressure within the abdomen
Chronic straining during bowel movement and urination
Strenuous activity such as heavy lifting
Chronic cough
Pregnancy
Pre-existing weak spot in the abdominal wall

Ventral or incisional hernia deserves a special mention as it usually occurs over an area of weakness resulting from a previous surgical scar.

Is hernia surgery safe?

Hernia surgery is typically a safe procedure designed to repair the hernia and reduce the risk of it recurring. While the majority of patients do not experience a recurrence, a small percentage may need further surgery if their hernia reappears years later. This likelihood varies depending on the individual patient and the specific type of surgery performed.

What is the cost of hernia surgery in Singapore?

The cost of hernia surgery in Singapore depends on the type of hernia being treated. Each hernia, whether inguinal, umbilical, or incisional, requires a different surgical approach, hence influences the total cost. The estimated costs for various hernia surgeries is as follows:

Inguinal Hernia Surgery – $3,600 to $6,000, excluding GST
Femoral Hernia Surgery – $3,600 to $6,000, excluding GST
Bilateral Hernia Surgery – $5,600 and $9,000, excluding GST
Umbilical Hernia Surgery – $4,900 to $9,000, excluding GST
Incisional Hernia Surgery – $4,900 and $9,000, excluding GST
Hiatal Hernia Surgery – $9,300 and $14,700, excluding GST

Please note that the provided cost ranges reflect only the surgeon’s fees and are based on MOH’s fee benchmarks. Your total bill may vary depending on the complexity of your case. The costs reflected do not include consultation, hospital and consumable expenses. Hernia surgery may be covered by insurance.

Can insurance cover the cost of hernia surgery?

Yes, the cost of hernia surgery can be covered by insurance. Please contact our clinic to find out more about the process of pre-authorisation with your insurance provider before your hernia repair procedure.

Dr. Thomas Ho is accredited to perform surgery across all private hospitals in Singapore.

Hernias can become a surgical emergency if they become incarcerated or strangulated. Consult our specialist for prompt treatment if you notice symptoms of a hernia.

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