The surgery begins with a 7–10 cm (about 3 in.) long incision in the skin and the abdominal wall of the right or the left groin. This enables the surgeon to access the anatomical structures of the inguinal canal. Then the spermatic cord structures adjacent to the hernia are identified. Finally, the hernia is detached and removed. The patient is woken up in the operating room and transferred to a recovery room.

The patients normally need to stay hospitalized for one day to recover after the operation. The first few hours after the surgery, close monitoring of the vital functions and intravenous analgesia are needed. Six to eight hours after the surgery, we begin to gradually mobilize the patient, who can also start to consume liquid dietary foods.

On postoperative day one, the patient is given pain therapy, which goes on for another two to three days.

Before checking out, you will be examined by the surgeon and the anaesthesiologist so as to make sure that you are medically fit for discharge. You will be given oral and written aftercare instructions. Please arrange to have someone drive you home or accompany you after checking out. Most patients return a week later for a post-surgery check-up.

Sutures are removed seven to ten days after the surgery.