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Returning to work after incisional hernia repair

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

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.

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