Contact number: 020 7806 4060
What is a Femoral Hernia?
A femoral hernia occurs when part of the small bowel or other abdominal viscera protrudes through the femoral ring, a naturally weak area just below the inguinal ligament. The hernia bulges into the femoral canal, which lies near important blood vessels including the femoral vein.
Femoral hernias may not always cause symptoms, but when they do, common signs include:
- A small lump in the groin, near the top of the thigh
- Discomfort when coughing, straining, or lifting
- Pain in the lower abdomen or groin
- In severe cases, bowel obstruction or strangulation
If left untreated, a strangulated hernia can develop, when the blood supply to part of the intestines is cut off, requiring emergency surgery to avoid compromised bowel.
Femoral Hernia Repair at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital
We provide expert surgery to repair femoral hernias using either open surgery or, in suitable cases, laparoscopic surgery (keyhole approach).
What to expect:
- Consultant-led care: Your surgeon will assess your hernia and recommend the most appropriate procedure
- Open surgery: A small incision is made in the groin to access the hernia sac and reinforce the area using synthetic mesh or sutures
- Laparoscopic repair: For some patients, the laparoscope is inserted to repair the hernia using a less invasive method
- Same-day surgery: Most repairs are done as a day case, but some patients may need to stay in hospital overnight
- Personalised aftercare: We support you during recovery with advice on wound difficulty, heavy lifting, and follow-up care
During your consultation, your surgeon will also discuss the small but important risks, including urine injury, infection, or recurrence of the hernia.
Consultants who perform Femoral Hernia Repair Surgery
How Much Does Private Femoral Hernia Surgery Cost?
from £3,300*
The cost of private femoral hernia surgery costs from £3,300* at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital.
*The price shown is an estimate from price which would include all hospital related costs associated with your treatment, from admission to discharge. The price does not include the cost of consultation, diagnostics, or the surgeon or anaesthetist fee.
How to pay for your treatment
If you’re… paying for yourself
Did you know you don’t need private medical insurance to come to St John & St Elizabeth Hospital? As a self-pay patient, you can access safe, outstanding quality health care at times to suit you.
For scans and tests, as well as to see most consultants, you’ll still need to be referred by a medical professional like your GP, but as a self-pay patient, the process is more straightforward. You won’t need authorisation from an insurance provider, and you’ll have greater choice of consultant and appointment times.
If you’re… insured
St John & St Elizabeth Hospital is approved by all major medical insurance companies. If you have a personal private health insurance policy, or your company provide it for you, you can use it to pay for your care from your initial consultation through to treatment, surgery and aftercare such as physiotherapy. Not all private health insurance plans cover the same things. It’s very important to check exactly what you are covered for with your insurance provider.
Frequently Asked Questions about Femoral Hernia Repair
St John & St Elizabeth Hospital is based in St John’s Wood (NW8), near Regent’s Park and Abbey Road Studios. We are easily accessible from nearby areas such as Hampstead (NW3) and Kilburn (NW6):
By Tube:
St John’s Wood station (Jubilee Line) is a 5-minute walk from the hospital.
By Bus:
- Wellington Road: Routes 13, 46, 82, and 113
- Circus Road: Routes 46 and 187
- Abbey Road: Routes 139 and 189
By Car:
From NW3 or NW6, use Finchley Road or Kilburn High Road for a direct route.
Open surgery is the most common method. The surgeon makes an incision near the pubic tubercle, identifies the hernia sac, and places synthetic mesh to reinforce the femoral canal and prevent the hernia returning. In some cases, sutures may be used to strengthen the inguinal ligament or close the femoral ring.
All surgery carries some risk, including:
- Infection at the incision
- Recurrence of the hernia
- Injury to nearby blood vessels, femoral vein, or urine injury
- Temporary discomfort or leg injury
Your consultant will explain these risks before your operation and help you weigh up the benefits of operative intervention versus continued observation.
Recovery after hernia repair depends on the type of procedure and your general health. Most patients can return to light activities within a week and are advised to avoid heavy lifting for 4–6 weeks.
You may experience some pain or bruising, which is managed with medication. You’ll be given instructions on caring for the wound and monitoring for complications. Recovery duration varies, with most patients resuming normal activities shortly after the procedure, following specific guidance from their surgeon.
Medically reviewed by Mr Panagiotis Drymousis - MD, PhD on 29/04/2024