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). They 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 affected twice as commonly as the left. 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.
