ABSTRACT
Femoral hernias are the third most common spontaneous hernia, occurring most frequently in older, multiparous women (this is because the femoral ring is larger in females and pregnancy stretches the fascia over the femoral canal). Noten howevern that inguinal herniae are still more common than femoral herniae in this subpopulation. ey protrude through the narrow femoral ring and into the femoral canal, where they expand considerably. On examination, femoral hernias are below and lateral to the pubic tubercle, and the right side is aected twice as commonly as the le. Because the neck of the femoral ring is narrow, there is a high risk of strangulation (50% at 1 month); thus all femoral hernias should be operated on urgently.
