Shouldice. Hernia repair for a lifetimes. Guaranteed.

Our 99.5% lifetime success rate for repairing primary inguinal hernias sets the gold standard.

HERNIA

Over 70 years of clinical evidence clearly demonstrates that the Shouldice surgical procedure is exceptionally safe and the repair is secure and reliable. Our rate of infection, complications and recurrence is less than 0.5% for primary inguinal hernia repairs. This is the lowest recorded rate in the world. If you think you have a hernia, we offer a walk-in clinic for your convenience. We always recommend that you come to the clinic for an examination, if at all possible. Our hernia surgeons have years of specialized training and experience and are available during clinic hours to provide an expert diagnosis. Our walk-in clinic is available at no direct cost to our patients. If you live more than 1 hour (100 km/60 miles) away from Shouldice, you can submit a medical questionnaire for our surgeons to review. At Shouldice, we deliver a quality of care to hernia patients that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.


Are You Experiencing Hernia Pain?
The most common symptom of a hernia is a soft swelling or bulge under your skin. The type of hernia you have will determine where the bulge appears on your body. Some hernias can only be seen when you stand up and may disappear completely when you lie down. Others may only be visible when you strain your muscles by coughing, sneezing, bending or lifting. Usually, the bulge is soft enough that you can gently push it back into your abdomen and often is not there when you wake up in the morning.

Most hernias do not cause painful symptoms. Sometimes, the area around your hernia may be tender and you may feel some sharp twinges or a pulling sensation. As your hernia gets bigger, your pain and discomfort may increase. If it is not repaired, a hernia may eventually prevent you from enjoying normal activities, such as exercising, grocery shopping or having sex.

If you have a hernia, contact your doctor right away if:

  • Your hernia becomes very painful
  • Your hernia can‘t be pushed back into your abdomen
  • And you feel sick to your stomach (nauseated) or vomit or have a fever

Types of Hernias
It‘s not always easy to diagnose a hernia. Every year, over 1,000 patients come to the Shouldice Hospital, convinced that they are experiencing hernia symptoms when, in fact, they really have a groin strain. Surgery may not be the right solution for these patients. If you think you might have a hernia, come to the Shouldice Hospital walk-in clinic for an examination. The highly specialized Shouldice surgical team diagnoses and treats thousands of hernias every year. They have the expertise to provide a proper diagnosis and may help you avoid an unnecessary operation.

Our hernia surgeons have experience repairing hernias and providing hernia treatment for:

  • Inguinal Hernia
  • Indirect Inguinal Hernia
  • Direct Inguinal Hernia
  • Femoral Hernia
  • Epigastric Hernia
  • Incisional Hernia
  • Umbilical Hernia
  • Hernia Treatment

The Shouldice repair is internationally recognized as one of the safest and most effective techniques for repairing hernias. When performed by a specially trained and well-experienced Shouldice hernia surgeon, this pure, natural tissue repair virtually eliminates complications or repeat hernias (recurrences). The Shouldice repair combines a proven surgical technique with the powerful benefits of the body‘s own natural healing ability. This results in a secure, reliable repair and a rapid, comfortable recovery for our patients. For over 70 years, our hernia surgeons have maintained a success rate of 99.5% on primary inguinal hernias– an accomplishment that sets us apart from any other medical facility.


Natural Tissue Repair vs. Mesh Repair
The Shouldice repair combines a proven surgical technique with the powerful benefits of the body‘s own natural healing ability. Our hernia surgeons overlap each layer of the abdominal wall, using a technique that puts no tension on the natural tissue. By overlapping these layers of muscle and tissue, we are able to strengthen and reinforce the weak spot where the hernia developed. Natural tissue repair results in secure, reliable repair and a rapid, comfortable recovery for our patients. Almost all 95% of the operations at Shouldice are conducted using only a local anesthetic, a light (sedative) and a pain pill (analgesic). Additional medication is provided when necessary. This reduces the risk of complications, shortens recovery time and helps make the experience more comfortable.


Experienced Hernia Surgeons
Every surgeon on the Shouldice team focuses their professional time, training and expertise on the successful lifelong repair of external abdominal wall hernias. On average, Shouldice surgeons perform up to 700 hernia operations a year, giving them the experience and skills to expertly manage even the most complex hernia repair. In total, the Shouldice surgical team has performed well over 400,000 hernia operations to date. When it comes to successful hernia surgery, there is simply no substitute for experience.

  • SHOULDICE HOSPITAL ADDRESS

    7750 Bayview Avenue,
    Thornhill, Ontario,
    Canada L3T 4A3
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  • CONTACT US

    Tel: 905-889-1125
    Fax: 905-889-4216
    Canada: 1-800-291-7750
    U.S./International: 1-855-328-3423
    [email protected]

  • ACCESSIBILITY

    Shouldice Hospital is committed to excellence in serving all patients including people with disabilities.
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