REAPPRAISAL OF FEMORAL HERNIA IN CHILDREN

Background Femoral hernias are rare in children, accounting for fewer than 1 per cent of all paediatric groin hernias. Misdiagnosis is commo n and a source of complications. There is no consensus on the age and sex distribution or the optimum method of repair. Methods A personal e xperience of four children with femoral hernia is reported together wi th an institutional review of a further ten hernias encountered during the past 11 years. Results Peak incidence was between 5 and 10 years of age. Misdiagnosis was common, partly because of the variability in presenting symptoms and signs. In this series, boys were more commonly affected but a literature review indicated a similar sex incidence. C onclusion A femoral hernia should be positively excluded if the operat ive findings at inguinal exploration are inconsistent with the preoper ative signs and in any child with a suspected recurrent inguinal herni a. Excision of the sac and repair of the femoral canal is curative.