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Femoral hernia
What is a femoral hernia?
Femoral hernias belong to the hernias of the abdominal wall group and appear in the inguinal region (along with inguinal hernias, umbilical hernias, etc.). They appear in the form of a lump in the femoral ring, below the inguinal canal and the inguinal ligament. A femoral hernia is caused when a viscera (most commonly the intestine) bulges through a gap in the femoral ring. Femoral hernias can occur on both sides of the human body. Depending on the side it appears, a femoral hernia can be right or left.
Femoral hernias are relatively uncommon, accounting for approximately 5% of all abdominal hernias. They occur more often in women due to the increased size of the pelvis in the female body.
What causes a femoral hernia?
The causes of femoral hernia are directly related to the conditions that cause increased intra-abdominal pressure. Here are the main factors that have been associated with the risk of developing a femoral hernia:
- obesity
- chronic constipation
- pregnancy
- lifting significant weight – severe physical fatigue
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- persistent or chronic cough
- genetic predisposition
- advanced age
General Surgeon Pericles Chrysocheris is renowned for prioritizing patient safety and focusing on the particular needs of each patient individually. Having extensive experience and expertise in Laparoscopic Surgery, he is an ideal choice for effective and safe femoral hernia treatment.
What are the symptoms of femoral hernia?
The frequency and intensity of symptoms from a femoral hernia vary from patient to patient. In some cases, in the early stages femoral hernias either have no symptoms or the only symptom is a small lump.
In more advanced stages, pain occurs in the inguinal region, which becomes more intense when as the intra-abdominal pressure increases. That may happen when the patient is standing, during physical exercise or when coughing.
In the case of a strangulated hernia, the symptoms include nausea and vomiting, as well as stool and gas retention. This is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical help.
How is femoral hernia treated?
Treatment for femoral hernia can only be surgical, as there is no conservative treatment that can deal with its symptoms and progression. Modern treatment includes laparoscopic surgery with mesh placement.
Laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of femoral hernia involves the use of a high-definition camera and special laparoscopic tools, which are inserted into the body through very small incisions. After the hernia is repaired, a special mesh is placed providing stability and preventing a recurrence.
With laparoscopic surgical treatment, the rate of infection and perforation of the wounds and mesh is minimal. In addition, in the case of patients with left and right hernias at the same time, both hernias can be treated through the same incision without the need of making incisions on each side.
Post-operative pain is minimal and does not prevent patients from their daily activities. After the operation, the patient should be careful with physical exercise and avoid lifting weights, according to the instructions of the attending physician.
If you have symptoms, contact General Surgeon Pericles Chrysocheris. It is important to get specialized medical attention in time so that there is no risk to your health.
