The modified Nyhus-Condon femoral hernia repair

When encountered, a femoral hernia requires repair due to its propensity for incarceration with associated morbidity and mortality. Several operations have been described, including the low approach (Lockwood), the high approach (Lotheisen) and McEvedy's preperitoneal approach. Recently, laparoscopic repair has also been advocated. The Nyhus-Condon repair, a transverse abdominal preperitoneal repair, was first employed in 1943 and has been widely used since. The aim of this study was to describe our modification of the Nyhus-Condon repair.

A retrospective review of all patients who underwent this repair over an 18-year period was performed.

Twenty-seven patients were included in the study. The female:male ratio was 16:11. Sixteen operations were performed as emergencies. Four patients required resection of a segment of bowel, which was performed through the same incision. There were no immediate post-operative complications. No recurrence was noted with a median follow-up of 4 years.

The Nyhus-Condon repair offers an alternative approach to femoral hernia repair and has the advantages of allowing bowel resection through the same incision with a better cosmetic outcome than the alternative preperitoneal McEvedy repair.