A TEP hernia repair is laparoscopic or keyhole surgery that fixes your inguinal hernia from the outside of your peritoneum (the sac that contains all of your abdominal organs) as opposed to inserting instruments through it and performing the repair from inside.

There are two laparoscopic techniques for repairing a hernia in your groin:

Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair TAPP repairs your inguinal hernia by entering your peritoneum cavity through the thin lining covering your abdominal organs called the peritoneum. Inside the peritoneum cavity a mesh is placed at the weakened area of your abdomen wall to strengthen it.
Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair (TEP) repairs your inguinal hernia without entering your peritoneum cavity. Instead, the mesh seals your hernia from the outside of your peritoneum.

According to The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), both laparoscopic and open surgery for hernias are safe and work well. They recommend that patients are fully informed of the risks and benefits of open and laparoscopic surgery (either by TAPP or TEP).

Key decision factors include:

the patient’s suitability for general anaesthesia
whether the hernia is a primary repair, recurrent hernia or bilateral hernia.
the hernia type’s suitability for a laparoscopic or an open approach
the surgeon’s experience in the three techniques.

Laparoscopic hernia repair offers potential benefits including reduced postoperative pain, earlier return to normal activities and a reduction in long-term pain and numbness. However, the risks of serious complications associated with laparoscopic surgery are higher.

Laparoscopic hernia repair surgery is the preferred technique for:

recurrent hernias - as scar tissue from previous open repairs may be avoided
bilateral (double) hernias – as both hernias can be repaired in the same operation.
There is not a preferred type of laparoscopic surgery. TEP repair is considered to be technically more difficult than the TAPP technique, but it may have fewer complications such as a reduced risk of damage to intra-abdominal organs. Your surgeon’s experience is particularly important for laparoscopic surgery.

Laparoscopic surgery is done using keyhole surgery. This means that your inguinal hernia repair is performed through small cuts to your abdomen near your hernia rather than a large opening to your abdominal wall. It is performed under general anaesthetic and typically takes 30 to 45 minutes.

A thin tube with a light source and a camera at one end, known as a laparoscope, and tiny operating instruments are inserted through the cuts and your surgeon repairs your hernia. They push your inguinal hernia back into place and strengthen the weakened abdominal wall using a synthetic mesh with the aim of preventing recurrence. The cuts in your skin are then sealed with stitches or surgical glue.

With a TEP repair, your surgeon repairs your inguinal hernia without entering your peritoneum cavity. The mesh to seal your hernia is placed from the outside of your peritoneum.

You can expect to go home the same day as a straightforward laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (TEP) procedure. If you have other health conditions or complications, you may need an overnight stay in hospital.

You will need an adult to stay with you for at least 24 hours after your surgery whilst you recover from the general anaesthetic.

Eat a high fibre diet so that you do not strain when having a bowel movement.

Slowly increase your activity. You can return comfortably to normal activity within a week or two. You may then return to driving, providing you are able to control the car. You can also go back to work unless your job involves heavy lifting.

You should not lift heavy items for four to six weeks.

The cost of a laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair procedure will depend on the exact type of laparoscopic hernia repair surgery you require and your Ramsay hospital of choice.

You will receive a formal quotation price following your consultation with one of our expert surgeons. This formal quote for your laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (TEP) will be valid for 60 days and includes unlimited aftercare.

Ramsay is recognised by all major medical insurers. Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (TEP) is covered by most medical insurance policies. We advise you to obtain written authorisation from your insurance provider before starting your treatment.

We have a number of finance options if you are paying for your laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair yourself. These include:

Interest-free finance – 0% interest, no deposit and affordable monthly instalments.
All-inclusive Total Care – a one-off pre-agreed payment for access to all the treatment you need for complete reassurance.
Pay as you go – flexible funding to pay for treatment as and when costs arise. Often used if your treatment costs are difficult to assess.