Because of a higher risk of complications with untreated femoral hernias, surgery is usually recommended.

Femoral hernia repair pushes the contents of the hernia back into place then strengthens the area of weakness.

Femoral hernia repair is an outpatient procedure similar to inguinal hernia repair and takes under one hour to perform. It can be performed with open, laparoscopic, or robotic techniques. Femoral hernias occur through an opening adjacent to inguinal hernias and specifically inferior to the inguinal ligament. The typical recommendation for repair would be laparoscopic or robotic with the use of mesh. Mesh is often recommended for repair of femoral hernias because of a higher risk of recurrence with open non mesh techniques.

Dr. Yunis offers a variety of hernia repair techniques based on the type of hernia and to suit his patients' needs. Techniques available for femoral hernia repair include:

This type of hernia surgery involves making a small cosmetically oriented incision near the hernia and sewing the hernia defect closed.

This type of hernia surgery involves the use of mesh  placed behind the hernia through small incisions below the belly button.

Laparoscopic and robotic repair involves three less than half inch incisions. A camera is inserted through one of the incisions and other instruments (scissors, clamps, and needle holders needed to sew) are passed through the other two incisions. In laparoscopic surgery an assistant is holding the camera showing the surgeon the area of concern while the surgeon has both hands on surgical instruments used to expose and repair the hernia. In robotic surgery, the camera and surgical instruments are attached to a sophisticated robotic arm system. The surgeon is controlling all of them while in a console with hand controls and foot pedals which translate to delicate movements of the instruments inside of the patient. After delicate and meticulous exposure of the appropriate anatomy necessary for repair, mesh and sutures are inserted inside. The mesh is positioned in a critical position behind the hernia defect and fixed so that it doesn't move.

Most people will experience some degree of pain or discomfort after the surgery that will delay returning to office-type work for a day or two.

Depending on the size of the hernia many can return to physical activities within weeks of the operation.

No- most femoral hernias are not considered major surgery and patients go home the same day.

It typically takes 45 minutes to an hour.

Most people choose to have their umbilical hernia repaired due to discomfort or pain, enlargement, or to eliminate the risk of emergency incarceration and strangulation.

No. femoral hernia repair is uniformly an outpatient operation.

It can be performed in a hospital or a surgery center.

If possible, optimize weight to achieve close to ideal body weight.

If one’s weight is significantly more than ideal, it is often beneficial to lose weight prior to umbilical hernia repair.

Yes. All patients are walking immediately following the operation.

Yes. However, the risk of recurrence of the hernia with non mesh techniques is thought to be significantly higher than laparoscopic and robotic techniques using mesh.