Tension Repair

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Tension repair used to be the only repair option available to people with hernias. In this procedure, the surgeon makes an incision in the abdomen over the hernia site, pushes any protruding tissue back into the correct position within the abdominal cavity, and then stitches it closed. This type of repair is called a tension repair because the stitches (or sutures) put tension on each side of the defect in order to keep it closed.


Unfortunately, this tension can cause more pain and discomfort than other repair techniques, so tension repair is only recommended for very small hernias.

Advantages of tension repair:
  • No known contraindications
  • Suitable (if determined by your surgeon) for very small hernias

Disadvantages of tension repair:
  • Discomfort
  • Long recovery period, around 4-6 weeks

Unfavorable recurrence rates:
  • A tension repair for an inguinal hernia has a 15-30% chance of recurring 1
  • A tension repair for an umbilical hernia has an 11% chance of recurring 2
  • A tension repair for a ventral hernia has a 50% chance of recurring 3,4