Prof. Chris Berney

Professor Christophe Berney is an experienced General Surgeon and globally recognised hernia specialist with expertise in minimally invasive laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery. He has over 30 years of experience and currently sees patients at Prince of Wales Private Hospital and the National Hernia Institute.

Prof Berney completed his primary medical qualification at the University of Geneva, Switzerland in 1988 followed by his MD at the same university in 1991. He became a specialist in General Surgery in Switzerland in 1997 before relocating to Australia. In 1999 he obtained his PhD in Medicine at the University of New South Wales and in 2002, he was awarded his Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, as well as his GESA (Gastroenterological Society of Australia) certification in Gastroscopy and Colonoscopy.

Prof Berney has performed over 7,500 surgical procedures utilising techniques that he has refined throughout his career. Patients under his care experience outstanding results, boasting a very high long-term satisfaction index and an improved quality of life.

One of Prof Berney's notable achievements is his contribution to the world's largest collection of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repairs, exceeding 1,500 cases recorded in the NHI database. He employs a unique approach, utilising the safest and non-invasive fibrin glue for mesh fixation. This technique presents significant advantages over traditional methods, including the absence of risks associated with vascular, nerve, or bladder injuries, a markedly reduced incidence of postoperative or chronic groin pain, and a hernia recurrence rate of less than 1%.

Prof Berney's exceptional results have garnered widespread recognition and have been extensively published in peer-reviewed journals. His contributions have also been showcased at numerous international conferences and meetings.