Hernia Surgery

At the Sydney Colorectal Clinic, we specialise in the repair of hernias, including inguinal, groin or inguinal, sports, incisional, perianal and abdominal or ventral hernias. We employ a multi-disciplinary approach to hernia surgery and our experienced team is here to guide and support you every step of the way.

Dr Hamish Urquhart specialises in the surgical repair of hernias, via both laparoscopic and open approaches, particularly recurrent and complex abdominal wall hernias. He focuses on a evidence-based treatment with a multimodal approach to hernia surgery. Our clinic is associated with the ANZ Hernia Society and is located on the St Vincent’s Hospital Campus, which is one of the main national hernia centres delivering expert hernia surgery.

Hernia Explained

A hernia is a bulging or protrusion of an organ or tissue through an abnormal opening. The more common abdominal hernias are groin hernias (which can be over the inguinal or femoral region) or abdominal wall hernias (ventral, umbilical/belly button, supraumbilical/above the belly button). Hernias can also develop after surgery if a weak point develops over the incision site.

Multiple factors contribute to the development of a hernia. There are genetic, environmental and patient-specific factors that all contribute to a hernia developing. Straining, chronic cough, smoking, constipation, heavy lifting, and many other activities may predispose to hernias forming. Once a hernia develops, most of the time, surgery is required.

Abdominal wall defects or hernias may develop spontaneously or following any abdominal procedures. These may be quite small or extensive, where the patient has a large defect in which abdominal contents bulge out. In small to moderate-size hernias, the repair may require a suture technique or, more commonly, a combination of a suture with either a graft or mesh may be required. Occasionally additional treatments such as preoperative botox, weight loss strategies and exercise plans may be required.

Dr Urquhart is a specialist in hernia repair surgery and can discuss all the options with you.

Patient Resources
Hernia Surgery - Post Op
Care Team

At Sydney Colorectal Clinic, our dedicated care team brings together leading experts across surgical, medical, and allied health disciplines to provide world-class, multidisciplinary care for patients with hernias. Led by Surgeon Dr Hamish Urquhart, our team includes highly skilled general physicians, physiotherapists and our practice/patient coordinator—all working together to ensure the best possible outcomes. With expertise, compassion, and a commitment to excellence, we guide our patients through every step of their treatment journey, offering personalised care and unwavering support.

Dr Hamish Urquhart

Director of the Sydney Colorectal Clinic & Specialist Colorectal Surgeon

Dr Hugh Giddings

Dr Hugh Giddings

Specialist Colorectal & General Surgeon

Dr Claire Keenan

Dr Claire Keenan

General Medicine & Perioperative Physician

Isabelle Aucoin

Isabelle (Issi)

Practice Nurse & Surgery Coordinator
for Dr Urquhart

Aman

Aman Kaur

Practice Nurse

Meet Dr Hamish Urquhart

Dr Hamish Urquhart is a leading specialist colorectal surgeon who is dedicated to providing evidence-based and compassionate care. With advanced surgical skills and a patient-focused approach, he ensures the best possible outcome for every individual.

Learn more about Dr Urquhart
General Medicine &
Peri-Operative Care

At Sydney Colorectal Clinic, expert medical support is integral to safe and successful treatment.

Dr Claire Keenan, our General Medicine and Peri-Operative Physician, works alongside our team to optimise patient health before, during, and after surgery. Dr Keenan specialises in managing pre-existing medical conditions, minimising surgical risks, and supporting post-operative recovery. By ensuring patients are in the best possible condition for treatment, she plays a vital role in improving outcomes and enhancing overall well-being throughout the care journey.
Memberships and Affiliations

Contact our team

Our friendly team are available to help at any time. The first step is understanding your options and choosing the right team to support you.

Multidisciplinary Expertise

A team of specialists ensuring optimal care.

Personalised Treatment Plans

Tailored therapies to meet individual needs.

Comprehensive Patient Support

Guidance through every stage of treatment.

Dr Hamish Urquhart

CSSANZ FRACS MBBS (hons), BEngineering Mech/Biomedical (hons)

Dr Hamish Urquhart is a specialist colorectal surgeon, with subspecialty training in proctology, complex colorectal cancer, pelvic floor disorders and inflammatory bowel disease. He is the director of the Sydney Colorectal Clinic and is dedicated to the treatment and management of complex colorectal conditions. Dr Urquhart believes in employing a holistic, multidisciplinary approach to Colorectal Surgery, and works closely with other disciplines to coordinate patient care

Dr Urquhart completed his postgraduate medical degree in 2008 from the University of Sydney, graduating with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (honours). He completed his internship and residency training at the Royal North Shore Hospital and subsequently commenced general surgical training in 2010. Dr Urquhart was awarded his Fellowship (FRACS) in General Surgery by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 2015. In 2016, he began four additional subspeciality colorectal fellowship years focusing on the latest minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques, robotic surgery and endoscopy. The last 2 of these fellowship years were with the highly regarded Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSSANZ) training program where he completed advanced colorectal surgical techniques.

Dr Urquhart is also a qualified biomedical mechanical engineer, graduating with first class honours from the University of Sydney in 2004. He was the 2005 recipient of the Engineers Australia Excellence Award for Innovation, developing several patents for biomedical devices.

Dr Urquhart is the Director of Surgical Training at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney. He is also a member of the NSW training board in General Surgery. Dr Urquhart has published multiple peer-reviewed journal articles and has presented at conferences in Australia, North America, Italy and the United Kingdom on Colorectal Surgery. He also has a passion for teaching and has affiliations with the University of New South Wales and the University of Notre Dame.

Dr Hugh Giddings

Dr Hugh Giddings

CSSANZ FRACS MBBS (hons) PhD

Dr Hugh Giddings is a specialist colorectal and general surgeon with subspecialty training in colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, pelvic floor disorders, endometriosis surgery, and proctology. He performs open, laparoscopic, robotic and endoscopic procedures to treat a wide range of colorectal and general surgical conditions.

Dr Giddings received his postgraduate medical degree from the University of Sydney in 2010 (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery with honours). He went on to complete his general surgical fellowship (FRACS) with the Royal Australia College of Surgeons in 2020, including several years training at St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney.

Following this Dr Giddings was the Notaras Scholar through the Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand, with clinical posts at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney where he trained in advanced oncological colorectal surgery, and The Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital specialising in minimally invasive techniques. An additional honorary fellowship was undertaken at St Mark’s Hospital in the United Kingdom with a focus on the surgical management of inflammatory bowel disease, and complex proctology.

Dr Giddings has a strong research background having presented both nationally and internationally, and was awarded the Royal Australian College of Surgeons Mark Killingback research prize in 2025. He recently completed his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) thesis looking at the trends in surgical workload, outcomes following surgery, and the quality of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) surgical care in Australia. Dr Giddings continues to be involved in collaborative research and is a member of the Australia and New Zealand inflammatory bowel disease consortium, and the scientific, medical, and quality of care advisory committee for Crohn’s Colitis Australia.

Dr Claire Keenan
Dr Claire Keenan

BHB MBChB FRACP

Dr Keenan is a specialist general medicine and perioperative physician. As a specialist physician she will assess you as a whole and address how your medical conditions interconnect, ensuring that you get the best outcomes in your care.

Dr Keenan completed her specialist training across New Zealand and Australia and has subspecialty expertise in peri-operative medicine, obstetric medicine, and managing patients with multiple medical conditions with complex needs.

Dr Keenan takes a holistic view and recognises the importance of addressing the medical conditions in parallel with your lifestyle, diet and general health goals.  She is a big advocate of multidisciplinary care and works closely with surgeons, physicians, nursing staff and allied health clinicians and will support your local doctor in your ongoing management.

In addition to her work at St Vincent’s, Dr Keenan is an academic at the University of New South Wales where she teaches the next generation of aspiring doctors.

Isabelle Aucoin

Isabelle (Issi)

Isabelle (Issi) is one of our dedicated practice nurses and also serves as Dr. Urquhart’s practice manager, playing a key role in supporting both patients and the day-to-day coordination of the practice. As our practice nurse, she is closely involved in pre-operative preparation and post-operative care, providing education, wound care, follow-up reviews, and ongoing support to ensure the best possible outcomes.
Issi brings over six years of experience working in operating theatres at St Vincent’s Private Hospital, where she specialised in general and colorectal surgery. This experience has given her a strong clinical foundation and a deep understanding of patient needs across all stages of care. She works closely with Dr. Urquhart, contributing to a highly coordinated and effective model of patient care.

Outside of the practice, Issi enjoys spending time exploring wineries in Orange, NSW, going to the beach with friends, skiing during the winter months, and getting creative in her home pottery studio where she enjoys working with ceramics. 

Aman
Aman Kaur

Aman is one of our practice nurses. Our practice nurses monitor patient care throughout the pre-operative and post-operative periods and are available to provide support, advice and reviews. Aman completed a Bachelor of Nursing through the University of Newcastle and has trained in peri-operative practice at St Vincent’s Private Hospital for seven years, specialising in colorectal and general surgery. Throughout this time, she has built a strong professional and interpersonal relationship with Dr Urquhart and Isabelle. Aman is currently studying her Master’s in peri-operative practice and aims to be a surgical assist alongside Dr Urquhart in theatre. 

Originally from the central coast, Aman grew up appreciating a coastal lifestyle. Outside of work, Aman enjoys a very active life that involves endurance running, competes both in triathlons and marathons. Aman also loves spending time with her family and friends, she is a self-confessed fun aunty to her two nephews. She also loves to read, explore new places and new cafes.