returning to work after incisional hernia repair
Last reviewed 01/2018
| Condition | Recommended return to non-manual work | Recommended return to manual work |
| Inguinal, small umbilical or incisional hernia laparoscopic repair | 3-5 days (1,2) | 1-2 weeks (3) |
| Inguinal, small umbilical or incisional hernia open repair | 2 weeks (3) | 2-3 weeks (3) |
| inguinal hernia - open repair | 2-3 weeks (4) | |
| Large umbilical or incisional hernia laparoscopic repair | 2-3 weeks (5) | |
| Large umbilical or incisional hernia open repair | 3-5 weeks (5) |
Notes:
- the information applies to general fitness to work for people below 60 years of age without other significant disability. This information is only a guide to doctors, who will need to consider the individual clinical circumstances when advising patients
Reference:
- Shulman AG, Amid PK, Lichtenstein IL. Returning to work after herniorrhaphy BMJ 1994;309:216-217.
- Wellwood J, Sculpher MJ, Stoker D, Nicholls GJ, Geddes C, Whitehead A, Singh R, Spiegelhalter D. Randomised controlled trial of laparoscopic versus open mesh repair for inguinal hernia. BMJ 1998;317:103-10.
- Department for Work and Pensions. Return to work following elective surgical procedures.(UK), IB204 (April 2000).
- Royal College of Surgeons of England.
- Samuel AM, Wellwood JMcK. Fitness for work after surgery. In Palmer KT, Cox RAF and Brown I. (Eds) Fitness for Work 4th edn. Oxford University Press, Oxford 2007 pp 467-486.