Diagnosis of a femoral hernia in the elective setting

A femoral hernia accounts for approximately 5-10% of all groin hernias in a dults. Misdiagnosis in children, in whom the condition is rare, has been we ll recognised and documented. The aim of this study was to assess the accur acy of diagnosis in an adult population. Methods: An analysis of 379 patien ts with a groin hernia, presenting electively to a University Department of Surgery and entered into a prospective clinical trial. Results: A femoral hernia was confirmed at operation in 12 (3%) patients while a further 4 had a preoperative diagnosis of a femoral hernia. The correct diagnosis of a f emoral hernia was made in only 3 cases by general practitioners and in only 6 by surgical staff of all grades. Conclusion: These data suggest that med ical staff of all grades may be poor at diagnosing a femoral hernia and a c hange in the way we are taught to differentiate between femoral and inguina l hernia needs to be considered.