The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
Femoral hernia repair
SURGERY TO REPAIR A HERNIA AT THE TOP OF YOUR THIGH
If you have a lump pushing through the top of your inner thigh, it may be a femoral hernia. HCA UK's experts can help.
What is a femoral hernia?
A femoral hernia occurs when tissue or a part of your bowel pushes through a weak spot in the surrounding muscle wall into an area called the femoral canal.
It appears as a lump or swelling at the top of your inner thigh. Surgery is an effective treatment option to remove a femoral hernia.
Need to know
Femoral hernia repair can be carried out in two ways:
- open surgery
- laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery
If your consultant opts for open surgery, a single cut is made in your lower abdomen and the femoral canal (channel containing blood vessels and nerves leading to the thigh) is opened. The tissue or loop of bowel is pushed back into your abdomen. The femoral canal is then closed, often with a synthetic mesh, to repair the weak spot.
During keyhole surgery, several small cuts are made and a camera inserted so your consultant can see inside. Instruments are used to pull the hernia back into place. A synthetic mesh may be used to strengthen the area.
Your GP or consultant will examine the affected area and may refer you for an ultrasound scan. This is a painless, non-invasive test to confirm the diagnosis.
Before recommending surgery, your consultant is likely to consider:
- risk of strangulation (if the hernia contains parts of your bowel)
- if symptoms are getting worse
- the effect it is having on your daily life
You will be admitted on the day of surgery unless there are any reasons which may require you to be admitted the day before.
Your consultant will tell you how to prepare for your operation. They will talk you through the risks and side effects involved and answer any questions.
Femoral hernia repair is a routine procedure with few risks.
You may experience some bruising, swelling and discomfort after the procedure. Painkillers (either injections or tablets) should help with this in the first 24-48 hours after surgery.
You should be able to go home on the same day or the following day. It is important to follow your consultant’s instructions. This includes eating plenty of fibre and drinking lots of fluids to avoid straining when you go to the toilet.
You should make a full recovery after your procedure within about six weeks. Some people are able to return to light activity and driving within about two weeks.
Our Femoral hernia repair locations
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
London Digestive Centre
41 Welbeck Street W1G 8EA London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.