Concierge paediatric surgery · UK
Private inguinal hernia repair for children, by a paediatric surgeon.
A day-case herniotomy — open or laparoscopic (LPEC) — by a BAPS-registered paediatric surgeon in a hospital set up for children. No mesh, and the anaesthetic run by a paediatric anaesthetist.
Why parents choose us
- 01
A paediatric surgeon, in a paediatric theatre
Not a general surgeon who occasionally does children. A named BAPS-registered paediatric surgeon, a paediatric anaesthetist, and a hospital set up for children.
- 02
Herniotomy, not mesh
Children have a congenital defect, not muscular weakness. The sac is ligated and transected — no mesh is used, and none is needed.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no hospital, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What a private paediatric inguinal hernia repair costs in the UK.
Indicative ranges across our partner hospitals. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
A one-sided open herniotomy in our network: £2,000–£4,000, home the same day.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Discharge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open herniotomy — unilateral | £2,000–£4,000 | 30–45 min | Same day |
| Open herniotomy — bilateral | £3,000–£5,000 | 45–60 min | Same day |
| LPEC laparoscopic — unilateral | £2,800–£4,500 | 35–50 min | Same day |
| LPEC laparoscopic — bilateral | £3,500–£5,500 | 50–70 min | Same day |
| Neonatal / preterm repair (inpatient stay) | £4,000–£7,000 | 30–45 min | Overnight |
| Consultation only | £200–£400 | 30 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by hospital, by the paediatric surgeon, by open versus laparoscopic (LPEC) approach, and by whether an overnight monitored stay is needed (ex-preterms under three months corrected age). We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
The right surgeon, the right timing, the right approach.
Inguinal hernia repair is the commonest paediatric operation in the UK — and yet parents are often left waiting, or booked with a general surgeon rather than a paediatric one. We fix all three before you commit.
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Is it a hernia or a hydrocele?
A hydrocele in a child under two often resolves on its own. A hernia does not. We help you tell the two apart.
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How urgent is it?
Under one year, the incarceration risk is 15–30% if untreated — semi-urgent. Older children can wait for an elective list.
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Open or LPEC?
Both work well. LPEC lets us inspect the other side in the same operation, useful when a patent processus is often bilateral.
The journey
From enquiry to recovery — what happens, in order.
One clinician from first message to check-in — including the recovery window.
Phase 1 · Before the operation
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
A few hours at the hospital
Phase 3 · After
Concierge, back on
- 01
Before
You tell us what you have noticed
A short, confidential form. When the swelling appears, whether it reduces, your child’s age and any prematurity history.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: whether it needs urgent repair (infant, incarceration risk) or an elective outpatient slot, and an indicative price.
- 03
Before
We arrange the appointment
Infants under one usually within one to three weeks; older children on the next elective list. Any pre-op checks are coordinated with the hospital.
- 04
On the day
Arrival at the hospital
A paediatric ward round, consent with the surgeon, and a chat with the paediatric anaesthetist. Parents stay through induction.
- 05
On the day
The operation itself
30 to 45 minutes under GA. Open herniotomy through a small groin crease incision, or LPEC (laparoscopic) with two tiny ports.
- 06
On the day
Home the same day
A short recovery on the paediatric ward, a light dressing, and home within a few hours. Overnight only if under three months corrected age.
- 07
After
Recovery and check-in
Back to nursery or school in two to three days. No PE or gym for two weeks. We check in and arrange a review if needed.
Typical end-to-end: 1–3 weeks for infants, 2–6 weeks for older children on an elective list.
When it helps
When paediatric inguinal hernia repair is the right step.
The situations we see most, plus the red flag that means an emergency rather than an appointment.
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Intermittent groin or scrotal swelling
A lump in the groin or scrotum that comes and goes with crying, straining or standing — the classic history.
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Reducible lump in an infant
A soft swelling that pops back in with gentle pressure or lying flat — book urgently once diagnosed under one year.
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Bilateral groin swellings
Both sides — more common in premature babies. Both are usually repaired at the same operation.
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Ex-premature baby
Premature and low birth-weight infants have a much higher rate of inguinal hernia and of contralateral patent processus.
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Older child with a groin lump
School-age children with an obvious reducible lump — elective repair on an outpatient list, no rush.
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Distinguishing from a hydrocele
A scrotal swelling that does not reduce and transilluminates is usually a hydrocele — under two years it often resolves on its own.
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Post-incarceration repair
After a hernia has been stuck and manually reduced, we arrange a semi-urgent repair to prevent it happening again.
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Red flag: incarcerated, non-reducible
A tender, red or discoloured swelling that will not go back is an emergency — same-day A&E, not a clinic booking.
Procedure options
Open herniotomy, LPEC, or wait — the options honestly.
What each option on the table actually involves — and which fits which child.
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Open herniotomy (Ferguson / Marcy)
The classic and still commonest approach. A small transverse incision in the groin crease, the sac is opened, contents reduced, sac ligated high and transected.
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LPEC laparoscopic repair
Two or three tiny ports, the internal ring is closed with a percutaneous suture, and the other side can be inspected in the same operation.
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Bilateral repair, one anaesthetic
When both sides are affected — common in preterms — both can be repaired at the same GA. LPEC is particularly suited to this.
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Contralateral inspection at LPEC
A patent processus is found on the other side in 30–40% of cases. Whether to close it prophylactically is a shared decision — we discuss the trade-off.
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Neonatal / preterm repair
Ex-premature babies are usually repaired before hospital discharge or shortly after, with an overnight stay for apnoea monitoring.
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Revision repair for recurrence
A repeat operation where a previous herniotomy has recurred. Rare (1–3%), higher after preterm or incarcerated repair.
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Hydrocele repair (separate pathway)
A non-reducing scrotal swelling that transilluminates. Under two years often resolves on its own — we would say so before booking.
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Consultation only
An honest discussion of whether surgery is needed, when to do it, and which approach fits — no obligation.
Our vetted UK network
A small panel of paediatric surgeons, we picked them.
Consultant paediatric surgeons at hospitals with proper paediatric wards. Not listed publicly — introductions are made privately, once we understand your child’s case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every paediatric surgeon in our network.
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Consultant paediatric surgeons on the BAPS register, not adult general surgeons
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Paediatric anaesthetists with routine neonatal and infant experience
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Hospitals with a proper paediatric ward and overnight cover for preterm cases
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LPEC (laparoscopic) offered as well as open, so the approach fits the child
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards — honestly.
Paediatric inguinal hernia repair is a very common, very safe day-case operation. The things worth planning are the anaesthetic (paediatric anaesthetist, please), the two-week PE break, and knowing what is normal after.
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Herniotomy, no mesh
Children have a congenital patent processus, not a muscular weakness. The sac is simply ligated — no mesh, no reinforcement, no long-term implant.
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Day-case for most children
Children over one, uncomplicated, home the same day. Ex-preterms under three months corrected age stay overnight for apnoea monitoring.
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Recurrence 1–3%
Low, and higher in preterm babies or after an incarcerated repair. A recurrence usually shows within the first year and needs a repeat operation.
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Wound infection 1–2%
Rare. A small dressing, keep clean and dry for 24 hours, then bath as normal. Redness spreading beyond the wound needs checking.
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Damage to vas or testicular vessels
Under 1%, and the reason we insist on a paediatric surgeon working with magnification. Damage can affect fertility or testicular size later.
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Post-op hydrocele
A small fluid collection in the scrotum after repair is common and usually resolves in weeks. Only a persistent one needs treatment.
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Ascending testis
Occasionally a testis rides up after repair and needs a small further operation. Checked at follow-up.
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Anaesthetic risk in ex-preterms
Ex-premature babies under 60 weeks post-conception can have apnoeas after GA. An overnight monitored stay is standard.
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Red flags
A tender, red or discoloured groin lump that will not reduce, vomiting, or a very unsettled infant — same-day A&E, not a clinic call.
Reading the operation note
Your child’s operation note in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whether the repair was open or LPEC, the note the surgeon sends you keeps to the same shape.
A quiet reminder
Surgical language is precise and can read coldly — we translate it for you.
If you would like us to talk you through the note before the follow-up, just ask.
- 01 Header
Diagnosis and side operated
Which side (right, left or both), the diagnosis (indirect inguinal hernia, patent processus vaginalis), and the child’s age at surgery.
- 02 Technique
Approach and anaesthetic
Open herniotomy or LPEC, the anaesthetic used (GA with LMA or ETT), and — if LPEC — whether the other side was inspected and what was found.
- 03 Findings
Sac, contents, contralateral side
The size of the sac, whether contents were bowel, omentum or ovary (in girls), and any additional finding such as a patent processus on the other side.
- 04 Impression
Recovery, activity, follow-up
Read this first: when your child can return to nursery, PE and normal play, wound care, and whether a review is arranged.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Paediatric inguinal hernia repair is a recognised procedure and is usually covered on children’s private health plans when medically indicated. We confirm cover before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything parents ask about paediatric inguinal hernia repair.
Quick answers on timing, open vs LPEC, mesh (no), recovery and when to worry.
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What causes an inguinal hernia in a child?
A patent processus vaginalis — a small opening between the abdomen and the groin that should have closed before or shortly after birth. It is a congenital condition, not caused by anything you or your child did. It is much more common in boys (about 6:1) and in babies born prematurely.
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Does my child need surgery, or will it go away?
An inguinal hernia does not resolve on its own — it needs surgical repair. A hydrocele (a fluid-only swelling) in a child under two often does resolve. Part of our job is telling the two apart before you book an operation.
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How urgent is the repair?
Infants under one year should be repaired within a few weeks of diagnosis — the risk of incarceration (the hernia becoming stuck) is 15 to 30% if untreated in this age group. Older children can wait for an elective list. An incarcerated hernia is an emergency.
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Open surgery or laparoscopic (LPEC) — which is better?
Both work well. Open herniotomy is the traditional approach, quick and reliable. LPEC uses two small ports, allows the other side to be inspected in the same operation (a patent processus is found on the other side in 30 to 40%), and leaves smaller scars. We discuss which fits your child.
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Is mesh used?
No. Children have a congenital defect, not a muscular weakness like adults, so mesh is neither needed nor used. The sac is simply ligated (tied off) and transected — the muscle wall closes naturally.
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How much does a private paediatric inguinal hernia repair cost in the UK?
Roughly £2,000 to £4,000 for a unilateral open repair and £3,000 to £5,000 for a bilateral repair. LPEC is slightly more. Neonatal or preterm cases with an overnight stay are £4,000 to £7,000. We confirm a firm figure within one working day.
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How long is recovery?
Most children are back at nursery or school within two to three days, running around normally within a week, and back to PE, gym and contact sport at two weeks. Paracetamol and ibuprofen cover the mild discomfort for 24 to 48 hours.
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When should I go to A&E?
If the lump becomes tender, red or discoloured and will not reduce, if your child is vomiting or very unsettled, or if the swelling is new and hard — go to A&E the same day. An incarcerated hernia needs urgent treatment.
Related pages
Looking for something else?
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Hernia surgery (overview)
All hernia types — adult and child — in one place.
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Umbilical hernia (child)
Belly-button hernia repair in children.
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Hydrocele repair (child)
When a scrotal swelling is fluid, not hernia.
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All tests & procedures
Every test and procedure we arrange.
Learn more