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Hernia for FRCS (Gen Surg)

Hernia surgery is common, and so are its questions of anatomy, technique and judgement. The domain covers inguinal and femoral hernia, umbilical, incisional and complex ventral hernia, mesh choice and position, laparoscopic and open repair, chronic postoperative groin pain, and the closure of the abdominal wall to prevent incisional hernia. The emergency presentation of a strangulated or obstructed hernia is examined with emergency surgery.

50 questions in the bank · 1 topics Updated 12 November 2026

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Topics in this domain

Groin & ventral hernia50

What the paper tends to test

Anatomy questions test the walls of the inguinal canal, the relations of each hernia and the nerves at risk.
Management questions ask who can be watched, who needs repair and which approach suits a bilateral or recurrent hernia.
Closure questions test the suture, the technique and the stitch length that reduce incisional hernia.

Classic traps and discriminators

Femoral hernias should be repaired promptly because of the risk of strangulation; they are not candidates for watchful waiting.
A recurrent hernia after an open repair is usually approached laparoscopically, and vice versa.
Mass closure of a midline laparotomy uses a continuous, slowly absorbable monofilament suture.

Free hernia practice question

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17Hernia·Groin & ventral hernia

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A fit 52-year-old woman has a symptomatic, reducible lump in the right groin. On examination it appears to be an inguinal hernia, and ultrasound reports a fat-containing groin hernia without specifying the type.

Which is the most appropriate repair?

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Interactive 3D: Inguinal canal & hernia anatomy

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Inguinal canal & hernia anatomy — still render

Also in this domain: Femoral triangle & canal (coming soon), Anterior abdominal wall (coming soon)

Free revision notes

The inguinal canal and groin hernia anatomy, open and laparoscopic

Groin anatomy for FRCS (Gen Surg): the walls and rings of the inguinal canal, direct, indirect and femoral hernias, the nerves at risk, and the laparoscopic triangles of doom and pain.

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Hernia questions, answered

Which hernia anatomy is most worth knowing?

The walls and rings of the inguinal canal, Hesselbach’s triangle, the femoral canal, and the laparoscopic triangles of doom and pain. See the inguinal canal and hernia anatomy.

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