Femoral hernia surgeon Gold Coast

Everything you need to know about femoral hernias

A femoral hernia is a type of hernia that occurs in the femoral canal, which is a natural opening at the top of your thigh. On this page, we will explain what they are and how they are treated. 

Femoral hernia explained

What are femoral hernias?

When you have a femoral hernia, tissue from inside your abdomen pokes through a weak spot in the passageway in your upper thigh. The passageway is called the femoral canal; it’s where the abdomen ends and the leg begins. 

The femoral canal contains the femoral artery and a combination of nerves and veins. If the abdominal wall is weak, other tissues or parts of the intestine can push through and create a femoral hernia. 

Dr Candice Silverman
Hernia Surgeon Gold Coast

This type of hernia is not so common and we see it more often in women. Exact causes are difficult to determine, but heavy lifting, coughing, childbirth or chronic constipation may be the reason why you have developed a femoral hernia. 

Femoral hernia symptoms

When you have a small femoral hernia you may not be aware of it but larger ones may cause pain or discomfort in the groin area.This pain may intensify with heavy lifting or movement. In some cases, femoral hernias result in hip pain, because of their proximity to the hip. 

In severe cases, a femoral hernia may lead to a strangulated hernia, a condition which severely restricts blood flow to the intestines. This is a life-threatening medical issue and requires immediate attention. 

Dr Anna Isaacs
Hernia Surgeon Gold Coast
If you experience severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting or acute pain in the groin area and you suspect a femoral hernia, seek emergency treatment immediately.

How are femoral hernias diagnosed?

A femoral hernia can often be spotted if you see a lump, kind of like a cyst, in the groin area. If you don’t notice anything unusual but we think there might be a femoral hernia, we can use an ultrasound to check for it, or see if there are any issues in the upper thigh area that might cause a hernia later on. 

Femoral hernia surgeon Gold Coast

How are femoral hernias treated?

If a femoral hernia isn’t causing you any discomfort or pain, you might not need treatment right away. Your GP will still need to monitor it though to make sure it doesn’t get worse. If symptoms progress or cause persistent pain or discomfort, femoral hernia surgery will be required. 

Femoral hernia repair

Femoral hernia surgery takes place under a general anaesthetic. Typically, laparoscopic or keyhole surgery is performed, reducing scarring and improving recovery time. 

We will make three to four incisions in the groin area. Through one of these incisions, we will use carbon dioxide gas to gently inflate your abdomen, allowing us a better view and more space to work inside your abdomen. Through the incisions we will insert a laparoscope and surgical instruments to repair the hernia.
Dr Candice Silverman
Hernia Surgeon Gold Coast

First, the protruding tissues will be manoeuvred back into place. Then we will strengthen the wall of the femoral canal with mesh to prevent it from happening again. 

Once the hernia repair is completed, the incisions are closed with stitches.

Benefits of Laparoscopic surgery

Here’s an overview of the main benefits of laparoscopic surgery compared to open surgery for femoral hernias. 

  • Quicker recovery time
  • Less pain post surgery
  • Less scarring

Not everyone is a candidate for laparoscopic hernia repair: the size and location of the hernia are a determining factor, as well as your overall health and whether you have had abdominal surgery before. 

It’s important to remember that femoral hernia repair is a simple procedure, rarely leading to complications. Full recovery after surgery takes between two and six weeks with few patients having a recurring incidence.  

Dr Anna Isaacs
Hernia Surgeon Gold Coast

Hernia repair Gold Coast, Lismore and Byron Bay

Core Specialist Group for hernia repair

At Core Specialist Group, your health and comfort are our highest priority. If you have been told you may have a femoral hernia, and are looking for compassionate and exceptional patient care, please get in touch with our friendly team. With consulting rooms in Tugun, Lismore (NSW) and Byron Bay (NSW) we will make you feel at ease in the lead up to your consultation and possible surgery.

Core Specialist Group Gold Coast

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