Abdominal wall and groin hernias

Speciality: General Surgery Age group: Adult

Eligibility

At least one must be met for the patient to be eligible for referral.

Clinically suspected or confirmed abdominal wall and groin hernias with initial primary-care work-up completed

Red flags

Indicate urgent (Category 1) referral or emergency assessment.

Suspected hernia with symptoms suggestive of strangulation or incarceration including acute abdominal pain, pain on palpation, nausea, vomiting

Symptoms suggestive of bowel obstruction including acute abdominal pain, abdominal distension, nausea, vomiting

Routine referral criteria

Determine Category 2 or 3 urgency.

Abdominal wall or groin hernia felt on examination, or that is clinically evident, that is affecting the person’s activities of daily living

Femoral hernia

Recurrence of a repaired hernia or previous hernia repair with new symptoms

Usually managed in primary care

Referrals based on incidental findings found on imaging where the hernia is asymptomatic and not palpable
Rectus diastasis as the only reason for referral