People who develop an unusual mass or bulge that protrudes from the upper thigh may have a femoral hernia. This condition, which is more commonly diagnosed in female patients, requires surgical intervention to resolve uncomfortable symptoms. All surgical procedures increase a patient's risk of developing infection, bleeding or blood clot complication. Patients should discuss specific femoral hernia surgery complications with a doctor before undergoing the procedure.
Persistent Pain
Certain patients may continue to experience persistent pain symptoms after undergoing femoral hernia surgery, according to Medline Plus. Chronic pain complications are uncomfortable, and these symptoms can persist for several months. Sensations of pain typically localize to the surgical site but may spread into the leg, reproductive organs, abdomen or lower back. Patients who develop pain complications after treatment may be prescribed pain medications by a doctor to help alleviate discomfort.
Injury to the Blood Vessels
A surgeon can accidentally damage the blood vessels that supply blood to a patient's leg during surgery, Norton Healthcare says. If this occurs, patients can develop unusual sensations of tingling or numbness in the leg beneath the site of blood vessel damage. In most instances, blood vessel damage is identified by a surgeon during surgery and immediately repaired. Blood vessel damage that is not identified until completion of surgery may necessitate additional surgery to fix the site of injury.
Injury to the Reproductive Organs
Reproductive organ damage is a potential femoral hernia surgery complication, particularly in females, Medline Plus says. The typical site of a femoral hernia corresponds with the location of a female's ovary. Ovary damage can result in pregnancy or menstrual complications in certain women after femoral hernia surgery. Depending on the extent of damage, a woman may need to have additional surgery to resolve reproductive organ injury symptoms.
Reappearance of the Hernia
Treatment of a femoral hernia does not guarantee complete resolution of symptoms. In fact, certain people can develop another hernia at the site of surgery as a complication of this procedure, Norton Healthcare says. If the hernia reappears, a doctor may recommend additional surgery to resolve symptoms associated with the new hernia.
