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Abstract
A femoral hernia is protrusion of a segment of intestine or other parts of the abdominal contents through a channel called the "femoral canal" - a tube-shaped passage at the top of the front of the thigh. The femoral canal, into which a femoral hernia is squeezed and stuck, lies adjacent to the point where the blood vessels and nerves pass from the abdomen into the leg. It presents a potential weak spot in the abdominal wall. If the hernia can be manually pushed back into the abdomen it is referred to as "reducible". However, usually this is not possible and the hernia is effectively stuck in the canal. This is an "irreducible" hernia and leads to a potentially dangerous condition. The blood vessels in the herniated tissue may become crushed within the canal, cutting off its supply of oxygen and nutrients. This is known as strangulated hernia and emergency surgery must be performed to release the trapped tissue and restore its bloody supply. A truss should not be used for a femoral hernia as it can encourage the hernia to become strangulated. Treatment is an immediate surgical intervention to return the herniated intestine to its proper place and to close the weak point in the abdominal wall.
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References
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