What medical specialty typically repairs hernias?

General Surgeons Repair Hernias

General surgeons are the primary specialty that repairs hernias, including inguinal, ventral, incisional, and umbilical hernias. 1, 2, 3 While thoracic surgeons may also perform certain hernia repairs (particularly hiatal hernias), general surgery is the standard specialty for hernia management. 4

Specialty Training and Scope

• General surgeons are trained in both open and laparoscopic/endoscopic hernia repair techniques, which is essential since guideline-conformant care requires mastery of multiple approaches. 5
• For hiatal hernias specifically, both general surgeons and thoracic surgeons perform repairs with equivalent outcomes—surgeon specialty does not influence mortality, major morbidity, or readmission rates. 4
• The choice of surgical approach (open vs. laparoscopic) and patient factors more strongly influence outcomes than surgeon specialty. 4

Required Technical Competencies

• General surgeons must master both open mesh repair and laparoscopic techniques (TAPP and TEP) to provide guideline-concordant care, as different clinical scenarios require different approaches. 2, 3, 5
• The American Hernia Society and European Hernia Society recommend laparoscopic approaches for bilateral hernias, recurrent hernias, and when patients desire reduced postoperative pain and faster recovery. 2, 3
• Open repair remains essential for strangulated hernias with suspected bowel compromise, when local anesthesia is required, or when laparoscopic expertise is unavailable. 2, 3

Emergency vs. Elective Repairs

• General surgeons must be capable of performing immediate emergency repair for strangulated hernias, as delayed diagnosis beyond 24 hours significantly increases mortality. 2, 6
• For incarcerated hernias without strangulation, general surgeons can use either laparoscopic or open approaches with mesh repair, which shows significantly lower recurrence rates (0% vs 19% with tissue repair). 1, 2, 3

Common Pitfall to Avoid

• Surgeons should not limit themselves to only one technique—guidelines emphasize that hernia surgeons must be proficient in both open and minimally invasive approaches to provide optimal, patient-centered care. 5 Deviating from guideline recommendations should only occur in exceptional cases with specific justification. 5