Background: The femoral hernia, the least common of all groin hernias, is seen most frequently in females. The main techniques for repair are femoral, inguinal and extraperitoneal Cheatle-Henry techniques. With laparoscopic surgery, total extraperitoneal technique is done with a patch to cover the femoral ring. We undertook this study to present the experience with the Cheatle-Henry operation for treatment of femoral hernia.
Methods: The study took place at the ABC Hospital, a third-level care institution in Mexico City. The study design was retrospective, observational, and descriptive. Medical records of patients with femoral hernias treated by the authors during a 27-year period utilizing the Cheatle-Henry operation were analyzed.
Results: Thirty-nine patients with femoral hernia treated with the Cheatle-Henry operation were found. There were 34 females (87.2%) and five males (12.8%) with an average age of 48 years, (range: 18-84 years). Hernia was more common on the right side with 31 cases (79.48%). Elective surgery was done in 26 cases (66.65%) and emergency operations were done in 13 patients (33.53%). There was no morbidity/mortality.
Conclusions: Cheatle-Henry operation is a safe and secure technique to operate on femoral hernia, which is the least common of all groin hernias.