Femoral Hernia Repair
This webpage will give you information about a femoral
hernia repair. If you have any questions, you should ask your GP or
other relevant health professional.
What is a femoral hernia?
Weak spots can develop in the layer of muscle in the abdominal
wall, resulting in the contents of the abdomen pushing through.
This produces a lump called a hernia (see figure 1).
A femoral hernia happens at the hole in the wall of the abdomen
where the femoral artery and vein pass from the abdomen into the
leg. A hernia can be dangerous because the intestines or other
structures within the abdomen can get trapped and have their blood
supply cut off (strangulated hernia).
Figure 1 - Hernia - bowel pushing through
a weakness in the muscle wall of the abdomen.
What are the benefits of surgery?
You should no longer have the hernia. Surgery should prevent you
from having any serious complications.
Are there any alternatives to surgery?
The hernia will not go away without an operation. What does the
operation involve? A variety of anaesthetic techniques are
possible. Your surgeon will make a cut in your groin and remove the
‘hernial sac’.
They will then narrow the hole (femoral canal), through which
the contents of the abdomen passed, using stitches or a synthetic
mesh.
What complications can happen?
1 General complications of any operation
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Infection in the surgical wound
- Unsightly scarring
- Blood clots
2 Specific complications of this operation
- Developing a lump under the wound
- Difficulty passing urine
- Injury or narrowing of the femoral vein
- Injury to structures within the hernia
- Temporary weakness of the leg
How soon will I recover?
You should be able to go home the same day or the day after. You
should increase how much you walk around over the first few days
after your operation. You should be able to return to work after
three to four weeks depending on the extent of surgery and your
type of work. Occasionally the hernia comes back.
Summary
A femoral hernia is a common condition caused by a weakness in
the abdominal wall, near the femoral canal. If left untreated, a
femoral hernia can occasionally cause serious complications.
Acknowledgements
Author: Mr Simon Parsons DM FRCS (Gen. Surg.)
Illustrations: Hannah Ravenscroft RM
This document is intended for information purposes only and
should not replace advice that your relevant health professional
would give you.
Copyright © 2008 EIDO Healthcare Limited
The operation and treatment information on
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