Direct Inguinal Hernia and Femoral Hernia

Abstract

Direct inguinal and femoral hernias rarely develop in children. Direct hernia is caused by weakness of the posterior inguinal wall within the Hesselbach triangle and femoral hernia by femoral ring enlargement. The principle of surgery is excision of the hernia sac and reinforcement of the posterior inguinal wall for direct hernia and sac excision and closure of the femoral ring for femoral hernia. The anatomical differences between direct and femoral hernias should be well understood. Pediatric direct inguinal and femoral hernias are rare but require greater accuracy in performing the operation. The most suitable operation for direct hernia is iliopubic tract repair and that for femoral hernia is McVay repair.