Femoral hernia is a protrusion of the abdominal contents (commonly the intestines) via the femoral canal through a defect in the abdominal wall. It usually presents as a lump in the inner aspect of upper thigh region.
Femoral hernia is the third most common hernia only next to inguinal hernia and incisional hernia and accounts for 17% of all hernias.
Common age group for femoral hernia is 60- 80 years of age. It is rare before 50 years of age and uncommon in children. Females are 10 times more commonly affected than males. Multiparous women are often affected.
Femoral hernia is twice more common in the right side of the groin than in the left side. In 20% of cases it is bilateral.
Chronic cough, smoking, obesity, carrying heavy loads, constipation, benign prostatic hypertrophy are the risk factors for developing a femoral hernia. |