Femoral hernia natural history, complications and prognosis

If left untreated, 44%-86% of patients with femoral hernia may progress to develop strangulation or incarceration.

• Femoral hernias may be small and asymptomatic during early course of the disease.
• Some individuals may have the hernia for decades without seeking medical care because of asymptomatic initial disease course.
• If left untreated, 44%-86% of patients with femoral hernia may progress to develop strangulation or incarceration.^[1][2]
• Strangulation or incarceration may lead to bowel necrosis, causing pain, erythema, nausea, vomiting and fever.

• Common complications of femoral hernia include:^[3][4][5][6]
  • Strangulation or incarceration
  • Bowel obstruction
  • Intestinal necrosis

• Prognosis is good, if surgery is performed in time (before the development of complications).^[1][5]
• The presence of bowel obstruction is associated with a particularly poor prognosis among patients with femoral hernia.^[1][5]

​​ ​​ Template:WH Template:WS