Hernia Complications

Complications following hernia repair include:

• Recurrence <2% in the short term but this can increase to 5-10% over a long period of follow-up
• Bleeding leading to haematoma which usually resolves spontaneously but occasionally may require aspiration/operation
• Spermatic cord damage
• Wound infection
• Urinary retention
• Chronic groin pain - this has been found to be more common in patients who have significant pre-operative pain, younger patients and those who have operations for recurrent hernias
• Testicular atrophy