Before hernia surgery: what the surgeon needs to know
Hernia repair, open or laparoscopic, is one of the most common planned operations. Laparoscopic repair is done under general anaesthesia. Open repair is often done under spinal anaesthesia.
Many people with a hernia are middle-aged or older, smoke, or have a chronic cough or constipation that pushed the hernia out in the first place. The pre-op tests check the heart, lungs, sugar and clotting before the anaesthetic.
| Anaesthesia | Spinal or general anaesthesia; small hernias sometimes under local |
| Basic tests | Major Surgical Profile, ₹2,500 |
| Report time | 3 hours from sample collection, 24/7 |
| Fasting | Not needed for the profile |
Step 1: the Major Surgical Profile
Almost every surgeon and anaesthetist asks for these basic tests before hernia surgery: CBC, ESR, LFT, blood urea, serum creatinine, electrolytes, random blood sugar, PT/INR, BT/CT, HIV, HBsAg, HCV, blood group, TSH, ECG and chest X-ray. We do all of them in one visit for ₹2,500, with the report in 3 hours. See why each test matters.
Step 2: extra tests your surgeon may add
Depending on your age, health and the hospital's protocol, your surgeon may ask for some of these as well. They are not part of the profile and are charged separately.
| HbA1c ₹600 | If you have diabetes. Poorly controlled sugar raises the risk of wound and mesh infection. |
| 2D Echo ₹1,200 | If you have heart disease, breathlessness on walking, or an abnormal ECG. |
| PSA ₹1,200 | In older men whose hernia came from straining to pass urine, the surgeon may check the prostate first. |
| Urine routine (CUE) ₹200 | To rule out a urine infection before the mesh is placed. |
Points specific to hernia surgery
- A chronic cough or straining is often the cause. The chest X-ray helps the surgeon check the lungs.
- If the hernia is painful, hard or cannot be pushed back, it may be obstructed. That is an emergency: go to a hospital, not a lab.
- Small hernias repaired under local anaesthesia may need only a few of these tests. Your surgeon decides.
Your surgeon and anaesthetist decide the final list. If you have one, send us a photo on WhatsApp and we will do exactly those tests and tell you the total first.
Frequently asked questions
Is the test list different for laparoscopic and open hernia surgery?
Not much. Laparoscopic repair is under general anaesthesia, so the ECG and chest X-ray matter more. Open repair is often under spinal, so clotting and platelets matter more. The Major Surgical Profile covers both.
My hernia is small. Do I need all 16 tests?
Not always. If it is being repaired under local anaesthesia, your surgeon may ask for only sugar and the infection tests. Send us the list and we will do only those.
How fast will I get the report?
In 3 hours from the time we take your sample, at any hour of the day or night, including Sundays and holidays. The report comes on WhatsApp, and you can collect a print at the centre.
How much do the extra tests cost?
The Major Surgical Profile is ₹2,500. Extra tests are added at our standard price, shown in the table on this page. Send us your surgeon's list on WhatsApp and we will tell you the exact total before you come.
Related tests
Medically reviewed by Dr Raheel Raza, MBBS, DCP (Gandhi), Consultant Pathologist.