In recent years, the popularity of Israel among foreign patients has been steadily increasing, which can be attributed to the effectiveness of treatment, the qualifications and experience of doctors, the use of innovative therapeutic methods and medications. In addition, the cost of medical services is affordable and corresponds to its high quality, as confirmed by reviews left on clinic websites. Treatment of femoral hernia in Israel follows an individual scheme that includes modern surgical methods. Abdominal surgeons from Israeli clinics professionally perform laparoscopic hernioplasty, eliminating symptoms and defects in the abdominal wall muscles.
The absence of pronounced symptoms in the early stages of the disease complicates diagnosis and requires significant experience from specialists. Israeli diagnostic centers are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment that allows for accurate identification of the causes of disturbances and the selection of the most effective therapeutic methods for the patient. Specialist consultations and assigned diagnostic procedures are conducted within a few days according to a clear schedule. Prompt diagnosis and adequate therapeutic course help avoid hernia incarceration and the development of other complications.
Treatment Methods for the Disease
A femoral hernia is a protrusion that occurs as a result of the exit of the omentum and loops of the intestine from the abdominal cavity. Due to anatomical features, the disease is much more common in women and small children. The likelihood of developing a femoral hernia increases with weakness of the abdominal wall due to trauma, rapid weight loss, or hereditary predisposition.
The hernial sac contains loops of the small intestine, omentum, and in some cases, fragments of the large intestine, bladder, and reproductive organs. A femoral hernia can be unilateral or bilateral. The pathology is also divided into the following types:
- reducible — the contents of the sac can be returned to the anatomical position in the abdominal cavity;
- irreducible — the hernia can only be partially reduced, or it cannot be reduced into the abdominal cavity at all;
- incarcerated — incarceration develops when the contents of the hernia are compressed, threatening the development of complications such as acute intestinal obstruction, peritonitis, and necrosis of a segment of the intestine.
There are initial, incomplete, and complete stages of femoral hernia formation. The first two stages are characterized by the appearance of more or less pronounced discomfort in the groin and lower abdomen, which intensifies with walking and physical exertion. In some cases, asymptomatic progression is noted. Clinical signs most often manifest distinctly only in the complete stage. A protrusion appears under the inguinal fold, swelling of the lower extremities and dysuric disorders may develop. In the case of incarceration, the femoral hernia becomes inflamed, pain intensifies, and temperature rises. The hernia becomes irreducible, and complications develop.
In the case of a non-incarcerated femoral hernia, specialists provide a favorable prognosis. The absence of adequate treatment threatens the formation of an irreducible hernia, leading to incarceration in more than 80% of cases. Currently, there are no conservative treatment methods for the disease in clinical practice. Upon detection of a femoral hernia, surgical hernia excision with defect repair (hernioplasty) is indicated.
Surgical Treatment
In Israeli clinics, hernioplasty is most often performed using a minimally invasive laparoscopic method, the advantages of which include access through several punctures in the abdominal cavity, the absence of intra- and postoperative complications, cosmetic defects, and rapid recovery.
Two methods of hernioplasty are used in clinical practice:
- Tension hernioplasty — during the operation, the hernial sac is reduced into the abdominal cavity through the hernial orifice, followed by suturing with the patient's own tissues. Due to tissue tension, the tissues gradually thin, which can lead to hernia recurrence. Today, such intervention is prescribed for pediatric and adolescent patients.
- Tension-free hernioplasty — in this case, the defect formed in the abdominal wall is closed with a patch — a synthetic mesh endoprosthesis. The endoprosthesis is made of biologically neutral polypropylene, which is elastic and strong, and does not cause allergic or carcinogenic effects. Studies show that after a long time, the implanted prosthesis becomes covered with tissues, making it practically indistinguishable. Recurrences after tension-free surgery occur extremely rarely. Currently, about 80% of surgeries to eliminate femoral hernia are performed using mesh endoprostheses.
For approximately a month after the intervention, the patient must wear a supportive bandage around the clock, removing it only at night. Physical activities are excluded in the first weeks and then gradually increased. Sports activities are allowed only after three months.
Diagnostic Methods for the Disease
Accurate diagnosis is rarely conducted at the early stage of the disease due to the weak expression of symptoms. Without discomfort, the patient does not seek medical help. In addition, the signs of a hernia are similar to those of varicose veins, lymphadenitis, and tumors. The high-tech equipment of Israeli diagnostic centers and the modern research methods used allow for an average diagnosis and development of a therapy strategy within three days.
After the patient arrives in the country, a primary consultation with the leading abdominal surgeon is conducted, during which the provided medical documentation is reviewed, and the medical history is collected. During a superficial examination, attention is paid to the characteristic localization of the protrusion (in the area of the femoral triangle), its appearance when the patient stands, and its disappearance when lying down. Upon palpation of the hernial sac, the specialist determines several parameters, primarily the reducibility of the hernia. Necessary additional examinations are assigned during the consultation.
The examination package includes:
- Ultrasound of the protrusion;
- CT;
- herniography (study of the hernia using the introduction of a contrast agent into the abdominal cavity);
- irrigoscopy (X-ray contrast method for studying the large intestine);
- Ultrasound of the pelvic organs and bladder.
The results of the conducted studies are submitted for review by a council consisting of an abdominal surgeon and narrow-profile specialists. After studying the indicators, the doctors determine the diagnosis and prescribe treatment.
- Computed Tomography
- Ultrasound
How Much Does Treatment Cost
The final price determined after the patient undergoes diagnostic examination and the development of a therapeutic program is of great importance when choosing a country and clinic. Medical services in Israeli medical centers cost approximately 30-50% less than in Western European countries and the USA.
Advantages of Treatment in Israel
- Professionalism and experience of specialists.
- Effectiveness of the therapy provided.
- Use of innovative treatment methods.
- Multidisciplinary approach to the treatment process.
- Affordable prices.
Conducting surgical treatment at the early stage of the disease in most cases ensures complete recovery. Seek medical help as soon as possible and restore your health with top-class doctors.