A femoral hernia occurs when a portion of the intestine pushes through a weak part of the abdomen near the upper region of the thigh. This type of hernia is most common in women, though men can also develop femoral hernia symptoms. Due to the high risk of complications associated with femoral hernias, affected people require surgery to replace the hernia into the abdomen. Before undergoing a femoral hernia operation, patients should talk with a doctor about the potential complications.
Blood Vessel Damage
Blood vessel damage can occur as a complication after a femoral hernia operation. During this surgical procedure, a surgeon can accidentally nick or cut blood vessels within the surrounding tissue of the leg. Such complications arise in approximately 1 in every 1,000 patients, according to the American College of Surgeons. Typically, a surgeon repairs any detected blood vessel damage during surgery. Blood vessel damage detected after a femoral hernia operation is completed requires patients to undergo additional surgery to repair the site of damage.
Reproductive Organ Damage
Women can experience reproductive organ damage as a complication of this surgical procedure, MedlinePlus warns. The location of a femoral hernia is generally very close to the position of one of a woman's ovaries. If a surgeon accidentally damages an ovary during a femoral hernia operation, the woman can experience menstrual or fertility complications after surgery. While minor reproductive damage may be able to be repaired during another surgical procedure, severe damage may be irreversible, resulting in permanent complications.
Chronic Pain
Approximately 7 to 13 percent of people who undergo a femoral hernia operation develop chronic pain symptoms that persist for longer than three months following surgery, the American College of Surgeons reports. Prolonged sensations of pain are uncomfortable but typically subside over time. A doctor may recommend or prescribe anti-inflammatory or pain medication to patients with chronic pain.
Hernia Recurrence
A femoral hernia operation does not guarantee the patient will never develop hernia symptoms again. Incisions within the abdomen can weaken the abdominal wall. Consequently, patients may be at risk of developing another hernia, Norton Healthcare reports. Additional femoral hernia operation is typically necessary to resolve recurrent hernia symptoms.
