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Yoo, Lee, and Choi: The Diagnostic Concordance of Femoral Hernia and the Factors Influencing Diagnosis
Original Article
Journal of the Korean Surgical Society

Journal of the Korean Surgical Society 2009; 76(3): 179-186.

Published online: 31 March 2009

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4174/jkss.2009.76.3.179

The Diagnostic Concordance of Femoral Hernia and the Factors Influencing Diagnosis

Ho-gil Yoo, M.D., Kwang-man Lee, M.D., Un-jong Choi, M.D.

Department of Surgery, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, Korea.

docjong@wonkwang.ac.kr

Received 26 September 2008       Accepted 20 November 2008

Copyright © 2009 The Korean Surgical Society

Abstract

Purpose

Misdiagnosis is frequent in femoral hernia as inguinal hernia. The aims of this study were to examine the diagnostic concordance and to define the factors having influence on the correct diagnosis of femoral hernia.

Methods

Thirty-two patients who underwent femoral hernia operations were analyzed retrospectively.

Results

The mean age of the study subjects was 65.8±15.5 (36~97) and the female to male ratio was 5.4 : 1. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 19.8 kg/m2 (14.6~26.9 kg/m2). Twelve patients (37.5%) showed preand post-operative diagnostic concordance and 20 patients (62.5%) did not. Among the 20 misdiagnosed cases, 16 cases were misdiagnosed as inguinal hernia, 2 cases as lipoma, and 1 case as lymphadenopathy. The factors related to the correct diagnosis of femoral hernias were associated with groin mass (96.9%, 31/32: 23 painless and 8 painful), size fluctuation of mass (cyclic wax and wane pattern) (84.4%, 27/32), long duration of mass (over 1 month) (75.0%, 24/32), femoral venous compression CT findings (63.6%, 14/22), and positive ultrasonographic findings (42.1%, 8/19). Emergency operation was done in 12 cases (37.5%). Incarceration was found in 23 cases (71.9%) and most of the incarcerated organs were omental fat (11 cases) and small bowel (10 cases). Bowel resection was done in 4 cases and 2 patients combined inguinal hernia.

Conclusion

Through the careful taking of medical history and physical examination, physicians can achieve the correct diagnosis and can also decrease the frequency of emergency operations and their related complications.

Keywords: Femoral hernia, Diagnosis, Misdiagnosis, Computed tomography

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1
Diagram of misdiagnosed cases of femoral hernias.
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Fig. 2
Crural approach of femoral hernia using Perfix® (A) and PHS® (B).
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Fig. 3
Cases are confirmed as a femoral hernia. There are no typical findings of femoral hernia which are venous compression and localized sac in femoral ring on CT image (arrows).
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Table 1
Patient demographics
jkss-76-179-i001

BMI = body mass index. *Combined inguinal hernias were all direct forms. †The cases of previous hernia operation were all indrect forms.

Table 2
Operations findings
jkss-76-179-i002

*In 4 cases, bowel resection was performed, 2 cases combined with inguinal hernias.

Table 3
Diagnostic concordance and missed diagnosis
jkss-76-179-i003

*One case was accidentally found during intestinal resection due to intestinal necrosis.

Table 4
Comparison between diagnostic and misdiagnostic femoral hernias
jkss-76-179-i004

BMI = body mass index. *Student t-test, †Chi-square.

Table 5
Factors related to the diagnostic accuracy of femoral hernia
jkss-76-179-i005
Table 6
Remote 10 years ago vs. recent 10 years ago
jkss-76-179-i006

BMI = body mass index. *Student t-test, †Chi-square.

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