femoral hernia

Introduction

A hernia in the inguinal region.

Etiology

• weakness of the pelvic floor muscles from previous childbirth

Epidemiology

• more common in women than men, ratio 4:1, especially in elderly women

Pathology

• herniation of pelvic contents through the femoral canal

Clinical manifestations

• pain suggests incarceration or strangulation of bowel

Complications

• bowel obstruction

Differential diagnosis

• inguinal hernia

Management

• surgical repair is definitive treatment
• use of truss
• watchful waiting for minimally symptomatic hernias in men
• watchful waiting is not recommended for women

More general terms

• groin hernia

Additional terms

• femoral canal
• inguinal hernia