Femoral hernia (patient information): Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
|||
| (7 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Femoral hernia|here]]''' | '''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Femoral hernia|here]]''' | ||
{{ | {{Femoral hernia (patient information)}} | ||
{{ | {{CMG}}; '''Assistant Editor-in-Chief:''' Meagan E. Doherty | ||
== | ==Overview== | ||
A femoral hernia is the sticking out of a part of the intestine through a weakening in the abdominal wall near the thigh. | A [[femoral hernia]] is the sticking out of a part of the [[intestine]] through a weakening in the [[abdominal wall]] near the [[thigh]]. | ||
==What are the symptoms of a Femoral hernia?== | ==What are the symptoms of a Femoral hernia?== | ||
* Groin discomfort or groin pain aggravated by bending or lifting | * Groin discomfort or [[groin]] [[pain]] aggravated by bending or lifting | ||
* Tender lump in the groin or upper thigh | * [[Tenderness (medicine)|Tender]] [[lump]] in the [[groin]] or upper [[thigh]] | ||
==What are the causes of a Femoral hernia?== | ==What are the causes of a Femoral hernia?== | ||
A hernia occurs when abdominal contents, usually part of the small intestine, push through a weak point or tear in the thin muscular wall of the abdomen that holds the abdominal organs in place. | A [[hernia]] occurs when [[abdominal]] contents, usually part of the [[small intestine]], push through a weak point or tear in the thin [[muscular]] wall of the abdomen that holds the [[abdominal]] organs in place. | ||
In a femoral hernia, a bulge is usually present in the upper part of the thigh, just below the groin, where the femoral artery and vein pass. Femoral hernias tend to occur more often in women than in men. | In a [[femoral hernia]], a bulge is usually present in the upper part of the [[thigh]], just below the [[groin]], where the [[femoral artery]] and [[vein]] pass. Femoral hernias tend to occur more often in women than in men. | ||
==Who is at risk for | ==Who is at risk for Femoral hernias?== | ||
*Gender: Women are more likely to develop [[Femoral hernia|femoral hernias]] than men | |||
==How to know you have a Femoral hernia?== | ==How to know you have a Femoral hernia?== | ||
A physical examination reveals the hernia. Tests are usually not necessary. | A [[physical examination]] reveals the [[hernia]]. Tests are usually not necessary. | ||
==When to seek urgent medical care== | ==When to seek urgent medical care== | ||
Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if a hernia cannot be pushed back into the abdomen by gentle pressure, or if nausea or vomiting develop. | Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if a hernia cannot be pushed back into the abdomen by gentle pressure, or if [[nausea]] or [[vomiting]] develop. | ||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
Hernias generally get larger with time, and they usually do not go away on their own. If the patient's health allows, surgery is done to relieve discomfort and to prevent complications such as incarceration and strangulation. Often, a piece of plastic mesh is surgically placed to repair the defect in the abdominal wall. | [[Hernias]] generally get larger with time, and they usually do not go away on their own. If the patient's health allows, surgery is done to relieve discomfort and to [[Prevention (medical)|prevent]] complications such as [[Incarcerated hernia|incarceration]] and [[strangulation]]. Often, a piece of plastic mesh is surgically placed to repair the defect in the [[abdominal wall]]. | ||
Urgent surgery is required a hernia that may be trapped or strangulated. | Urgent [[surgery]] is required for a [[hernia]] that may be trapped or [[Strangulated hernia|strangulated]]. | ||
==Diseases with similar symptoms== | ==Diseases with similar symptoms== | ||
* [[Inguinal hernia]] | |||
* Enlarged [[inguinal lymph node]] | |||
* [[Aneurysm]] of the [[femoral artery]] | |||
* [[Saphena Varix]] | |||
* [[Psoas abscess]] | |||
==Where to find medical care for | ==Where to find medical care for a Femoral hernia== | ||
[http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|yourdisease}}}}&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=65.008093,112.148438&ie=UTF8&ll=37.0625,-95.677068&spn=91.690419,149.414063&z=2&source=embed Directions to Hospitals Treating Femoral hernia] | [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|yourdisease}}}}&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=65.008093,112.148438&ie=UTF8&ll=37.0625,-95.677068&spn=91.690419,149.414063&z=2&source=embed Directions to Hospitals Treating Femoral hernia] | ||
==Prevention of a Femoral hernia== | ==Prevention of a Femoral hernia== | ||
Overweight patients may be able to prevent hernias from forming by losing weight. | [[Overweight]] patients may be able to prevent hernias from forming by losing weight. | ||
Chronic cough, constipation, and prostatic hypertrophy may lead to straining with urination or defecation, which can lead to the formation of hernias. These conditions should be discussed with your doctor prior to hernia repair. | Chronic [[cough]], [[constipation]], and [[prostatic]] [[hypertrophy]] may lead to straining with [[urination]] or [[defecation]], which can lead to the formation of [[hernias]]. These conditions should be discussed with your doctor prior to [[hernia]] repair. | ||
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)== | ==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)== | ||
The outcome is usually quite good if the hernia is treated properly. The rate of hernia recurrence after surgical repair is generally less than 3%. | The outcome is usually quite good if the [[hernia]] is treated properly. The rate of [[hernia]] recurrence after surgical repair is generally less than 3%. | ||
===Possible Complications=== | ===Possible Complications=== | ||
A femoral hernia may become stuck (incarcerated) and strangulated (the loop of bowel loses its blood supply). Nausea, vomiting, and severe abdominal pain may occur with a strangulated hernia. This is a medical emergency. A strangulated intestine can result in tissue death (gangrene), a life-threatening condition requiring immediate surgery. | A [[femoral hernia]] may become stuck ([[Incarcerated hernia|incarcerated]]) and [[Strangulated hernia|strangulated]] (the loop of [[bowel]] loses its [[Blood|blood supply]]). [[Nausea]], [[vomiting]], and severe [[Abdominal pain, constipation and GI bleeding|abdominal pain]] may occur with a [[strangulated hernia]]. This is a medical emergency. A [[Strangulated hernia|strangulated intestine]] can result in tissue death ([[gangrene]]), a life-threatening condition requiring immediate [[surgery]]. | ||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
*http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001136.htm | |||
[[Category:Patient information]] | |||
[[Category:Mature chapter]] | |||
[[Category:Gastroenterology]] | |||
[[Category:Gastroenterology patient information]] | |||
[[Category:Surgery]] | |||
[[Category:Surgery patient information]] | |||
{{WH}} | |||
{{WS}} | |||
{{ | |||
Latest revision as of 19:38, 15 February 2018
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
|
Femoral hernia |
|
(Condition) On the Web |
|---|
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Assistant Editor-in-Chief: Meagan E. Doherty
Overview
A femoral hernia is the sticking out of a part of the intestine through a weakening in the abdominal wall near the thigh.
What are the symptoms of a Femoral hernia?
- Groin discomfort or groin pain aggravated by bending or lifting
- Tender lump in the groin or upper thigh
What are the causes of a Femoral hernia?
A hernia occurs when abdominal contents, usually part of the small intestine, push through a weak point or tear in the thin muscular wall of the abdomen that holds the abdominal organs in place.
In a femoral hernia, a bulge is usually present in the upper part of the thigh, just below the groin, where the femoral artery and vein pass. Femoral hernias tend to occur more often in women than in men.
Who is at risk for Femoral hernias?
- Gender: Women are more likely to develop femoral hernias than men
How to know you have a Femoral hernia?
A physical examination reveals the hernia. Tests are usually not necessary.
When to seek urgent medical care
Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if a hernia cannot be pushed back into the abdomen by gentle pressure, or if nausea or vomiting develop.
Treatment options
Hernias generally get larger with time, and they usually do not go away on their own. If the patient's health allows, surgery is done to relieve discomfort and to prevent complications such as incarceration and strangulation. Often, a piece of plastic mesh is surgically placed to repair the defect in the abdominal wall.
Urgent surgery is required for a hernia that may be trapped or strangulated.
Diseases with similar symptoms
- Inguinal hernia
- Enlarged inguinal lymph node
- Aneurysm of the femoral artery
- Saphena Varix
- Psoas abscess
Where to find medical care for a Femoral hernia
Directions to Hospitals Treating Femoral hernia
Prevention of a Femoral hernia
Overweight patients may be able to prevent hernias from forming by losing weight.
Chronic cough, constipation, and prostatic hypertrophy may lead to straining with urination or defecation, which can lead to the formation of hernias. These conditions should be discussed with your doctor prior to hernia repair.
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)
The outcome is usually quite good if the hernia is treated properly. The rate of hernia recurrence after surgical repair is generally less than 3%.
Possible Complications
A femoral hernia may become stuck (incarcerated) and strangulated (the loop of bowel loses its blood supply). Nausea, vomiting, and severe abdominal pain may occur with a strangulated hernia. This is a medical emergency. A strangulated intestine can result in tissue death (gangrene), a life-threatening condition requiring immediate surgery.