A case of femoral hernia in a child

A 9-year-old boy with a painless reducible swelling in the right groin was admitted to our hospital. The diagnosis of a right external inguinal hernia was made, but no inguinal hernial sac was found at operation. On further examination, the diagnosis of femoral hernia was confirmed. Radical operation for the femoral hernia was performed using McVay's procedure, and there has been no recurrence since the operation. In the Japanese literature, 25 cases of femoral hernias have been reported in children aged 1 month-9 year (average age, 4 years). The sex ratio of M:F was 2:3. Eleven cases were on the right side, 7 were on the left, and 5 were bilateral. The rate of irreducible femoral hernia was 48% (12/25 cases). Femoral hernias in children are very rare and often misdiagnosed as inguinal hernias. Correct diagnosis was made in only three cases (12%). Careful examination and awareness of the possibility of femoral hernia in children are very important when dealing with groin swelling in children.