A hernia is an abnormal protrusion of a body part. The femoral hernia occurs in the canal that carries the femoral artery into the thigh, and is caused by a descent of intestines.

A weakness in the tissue allows a loop of bowel to descend into the femoral canal. Hernias may occur as a result of failure of certain normal openings to close during development.

There is a bulge situated in an area of the groin a little lower than the usual location of an inguinal hernia. Femoral hernias occur more commonly in women, and are more likely to strangulate than other hernias. The symptoms of strangulation are severe pain, nausea with vomiting, and possible diarrhea.

Following surgical reduction of the hernia, the pain and the bulge disappear. If a bowel obstruction is suspected, then laboratory and x-ray tests are done in preparation for surgery.

Usually a hernia repair is preferred, but a truss may be used temporarily to hold the abdominal contents in place. A hernia that becomes strangulated may require a bowel resection.

Patients requiring strangulation repair may need to be hospitalized for several days. Elective hernia repairs are usually same day surgeries, and patients may resume normal activities within 4 to 6 weeks.

• None.

• Add 10 percent for bilateral involvement, provided the second hernia is compensable. This means that the more severely disabling hernia is to be evaluated, and 10 percent, only, added for the second hernia, if the latter is of compensable degree.