Femoral Hernia

A femoral hernia occurs when stomach contents push through the femoral canal, which is slightly below the inguinal ligament and to the inside of the femoral vein. It makes up a minor part of groin hernias, but it has a far higher risk of incarceration and strangulation than inguinal hernias. Femoral hernias happen more often in women, especially those who have had more than one child and are older. This phenomenon is because their pelvic bones are bigger and their pelvic floor structures are weaker.

In the clinic, patients show up with a tiny, often painful bump on the upper thigh or groin, usually below and to the side of the pubic tubercle. Coughing or straining may make the oedema worse. The small femoral ring can cause bowel entrapment early on, which can progress to acute intestinal blockage, which is marked by stomach pain, vomiting, and swelling.

The diagnosis is mostly based on the patient's history; however, an ultrasound or CT scan can help in circumstances where the symptoms are not clear. Because of the significant risk of problems, elective surgical repair is indicated even for people who don't have any symptoms. Open hernioplasty or laparoscopic mesh repair are two ways to treat the problem and make the femoral canal stronger so it doesn't happen again. Quick surgical care greatly lowers the rates of illness and emergency surgery.