Incarcerated femoral hernia treated with elective totally extraperitoneal repair: a case report

Comparison of mesh repair and suture repair for the treatment of incarcerated femoral hernia: a retrospective, single-center study

BACKGROUND

Femoral hernias often present with incarceration or strangulation that requires emergency surgery. However, recommendations vary regarding optimal approaches for incarcerated femoral hernia. The aim of this study is to compare clinical efficacy between mesh repair and suture repair for the treatment of incarcerated femoral hernia.

METHODS

Retrospective, single-center analysis of the clinical data from 48 patients with incarcerated femoral hernia, including 16 patients who underwent mesh repair (mesh repair group) and 32 patients who underwent traditional suture repair (suture repair group).

RESULTS

The mean age, body mass index, incarceration duration, hernia sac size, operation duration, and the rates of postoperative incision infection, recurrence, chronic pain, and mortality were not significantly different between the suture repair and mesh repair groups (P > 0.05 for all). In contrast, the female/male ratio; the rates of bowel obstruction, coexisting diseases, and nighttime operation; and the American Society of Anesthesiologists grade were higher and the rate of prophylactic antibiotic use and the mean cost of hospitalization were lower in the suture repair group than in the mesh repair group (P < 0.05 for all).

CONCLUSION

The surgical approach should be chosen based on the patient's condition. Mesh repair for the emergency treatment of incarcerated femoral hernia is safe and effective, whereas suture repair is suitable for elderly patients, those with more coexisting diseases, and those with limited life expectancy.

FEMORAL HERNIA: UNCOMMON, BUT ASSOCIATED WITH POTENTIALLY SEVERE COMPLICATIONS

BACKGROUND

Although the laparoscopic access is becoming the preferable treatment for femoral hernia, there are only few studies on this important subject.

AIM

To assess the outcomes of the totally extraperitoneal laparoscopic (TEP) access in the treatment of femoral hernia.

METHODS

Data of 62 patients with femoral hernia who underwent herniorrhaphy were retrospectively reviewed. The diagnosis of femoral hernia was established by clinical and/or imaging exams in 55 patients and by laparoscopic findings in seven.

RESULTS

There were 55 (88.7%) females and 7 (11.3%) males, with female to male ratio of 8:1. The mean age was of 58.9±15.9 years, ranging from 22 to 92 years. Most patients (n=53; 85.5%) had single hernia and the remaining (n=9; 14.5%) bilateral, making a total of 71 hernias operated. Prior lower abdominal operations were recorded in 21 (33.9%) patients. Conversion to laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal procedure was performed in four (6.5%). Open herniorrhaphy was needed in two (3.2%), one with spontaneous enterocutaneous fistula in the groin region (Richter's hernia) and the another with incidental perforation of the adjacent small bowel that occurred during dissection of hernia sac. There was no mortality.

CONCLUSION

Femoral hernia is uncommon, and it may be associated with potentially severe complications. Most femoral hernias may be successfully treated with totally extraperitoneal laparoscopic access, with low conversion and complication rates.