Hernia (Femoral) Repair
Hernia repair surgery is a very common procedure. A hernia occurs when an internal organ or fatty tissue pushes through a weakness in the surrounding tissue wall, causing a lump. There are many types of hernia.
A femoral hernia is the result of fatty tissue or a bit of your bowel pushing through and into the femoral canal, causing a lump in your groin at the top of the inner thigh. They are far less common than the inguinal form and affect more women than men. Femoral hernias are rare in children. This type of hernia is associated with ageing and repeated strain on the abdomen.
The most common symptoms are pain, swelling and discomfort at the site of the hernia. Hernias aren’t usually life threatening but should always be examined by your GP immediately. Treatment of femoral hernias is almost always recommended straight away because there’s a higher risk of complications developing. The hernia could cause obstruction, whereby a section of the bowel could become stuck in the femoral canal, causing nausea, vomiting and stomach pain, as well as a painful lump in the groin. Or the hernia can be strangulated, whereby a section of bowel becomes trapped and its blood supply is cut off.
Diagnosis
A femoral hernia can usually be diagnosed by physical examination and confirmed by an ultrasound or CT scan.
Following diagnosis, your consultant will advise if surgery is appropriate. This is dependent on:
- content of the hernia, if the hernia contains a part of your bowel, muscle or other tissue, there may be a risk of strangulation or obstruction
- severity of pain and discomfort
- impact on your day-to-day living
- your general health
The procedure
Femoral hernia repair can be performed as a laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery or open surgery. Either procedure will take around half an hour.
Laparoscopic surgery
Laparoscopic surgery is performed under general anaesthetic. Small incisions are made to allow you surgeon to insert a thin, lighted scope called a laparoscope through one incision and tools to repair the hernia through the other incisions. Laparoscopic surgery is generally a more attractive option for the patient, as there is less damage to surrounding tissue, reduced scarring and recovery times are much faster. However, not all hernias are suitable for laparoscopic surgery.
Open surgery
Open hernia repair can be done under general, spinal, or local anaesthesia. An incision is made close to the site of the hernia to enable your surgeon to push the hernia back into position and repair the weakened area using stitches or a piece of reinforcing synthetic mesh.
Recovery following surgery
It is usually possible to return home on the day of your surgery. You will need someone to drive you and you should have someone with you for at least 24 hours following a general anaesthetic.
You will need to completely rest for the first couple of days after surgery to heal. After a couple of days, you may feel ready to do light tasks around the home and go for a walk.
After 2 weeks, you should be able to return to light exercise such as jogging, cycling and swimming.
You should be able to return to work 1-2 weeks following surgery, although if your job is physically demanding you will need to take a longer time off.
Complete recovery from hernia repair surgery will take 4-6 weeks. Recovery is generally faster with laparoscopic surgery, rather than open surgery. However, contact sports and all forms of lifting should be avoided until two months has passed to ensure that the tissues have healed properly and minimise the chance of recurrence.
At One Healthcare we can book you in to see a specialist surgeon, usually within 48 hours, for an initial consultation. Femoral hernia repair is available at One Ashford Hospital in Kent and One Hatfield Hospital in Hertfordshire.
You can use your private medical insurance or pay for your Hernia (Femoral) Repair treatment. We offer competitive, fixed price packages. If you are using your health insurance, please contact your insurer first for approval and let them know you’d like to be treated at One Ashford Hospital
Why One Ashford Hospital
- Access to leading Consultants within 48 hours*
- 0% and low finance options**
- Competitive fixed-price packages
- Modern purpose-built hospital
- Private, spacious, ensuite rooms
- Specialist Physiotherapy and nursing teams
- Little waiting time for surgery
- Calm, dignified experience
*Dependent on Consultant availability
**Terms and conditions apply
One Ashford
One Hatfield