Incarcerated Hernia Article

Femoral hernia

A femoral hernia is either a loop of one's intestine or is another part of one's abdominal contents. This loop has been forced out of the patient's abdominal wall through a channel known as the "femoral canal". This is a tube-shaped passage found at the top front of the patient's thigh. It is usually only about the size of a grape. If it is left untreated, a femoral hernia can cause major medical problems. Surgery has to be performed in order to return the herniated intestine properly to its original place and close the weakness in the patient's abdominal wall.

The femoral canal is positioned next to the point where a person's blood vessels and nerves go from the abdomen and into the leg. This causes a possible weak spot in the abdominal wall. The femoral heria squeezes through the femoral canal.

If a weakness is already present, part of the intestine(bowel) or tissue covering it is most likely to be forced out of the femoral canal. Such activities that trigger a hernia are coughing, standing up, straining, being very overweight or obese, constipation, having a smoker's cough, and pushing or carrying heavy objects. These hernias often occur in older people and in women who have had one or more pregnancies.

Symptoms

A grape-sized lump in the groin area is caused by a femoral hernia. This may or may not be easily noticeable. A hernia is said to be "reducible" if it can be pushed back into the abdomen manually. This is usually not the case, and the hernia remains stuck in the femoral canal. This is called an "irreducible" hernia which can become a dangerous condition. When the tissue's blood supply and nutrients are cut off, this is known as a strangulated hernia and emergency surgery must be immediately performed. The strangulated hernia is not only very painful but is very tender to the touch.

Once a hernia has formed it is of utmost importance to seek medical attention. Do not attempt to wear a truss as this can cause the hernia to become stangulated.

Treatment

Because femoral hernias carry a high risk of becoming strangulated, they need to be surgically repaired. Usually a femoral hernia repair is performed as outpatient surgery, and there is not need to stay overnight in the hospital. The type of anesthesia one receives depends upon the exact operation as well as the preferences of the patient and the surgeon. It can be either carried out under general or regional anesthesia.

The operation

An incision about ten centimeters long is made either over the hernia itself or on the patient's lower abdomen. First of all, this procedure requires opening up the femoral canal and returning the intestinal loop or covering back to the abdomen. Then the defect in the canal must be repaired which is what let the hernia through. Mesh may be used to reinforce the top of the femoral canal. It is usually made of synthetic material so it does not cause an irritation in the body. The surgery may also be performed laparoscopically. This type of surgery is minimally invasive. The advantages of this type of surgery is that the hospital stay is reduced, there is less pain, less scarring, and the recovery time is reduced.