Safety of Elective Inguinal Hernia Repair in the Geriatric Population: A Retrospective Analysis

Authors : Fırat Erkmen, Mehmet Gümer
Pages : 313-316
Doi:10.35440/hutfd.1583428
View : 40 | Download : 49
Publication Date : 2025-06-27
Article Type : Research Paper
Abstract :Background: Inguinal hernia (IH) repair is generally considered safe with low morbidity and mortali-ty; however, the risk increases in geriatric patients due to the prevalence of comorbid conditions. This study aims to compare the outcomes of elective versus emergency IH repair in elderly pa-tients. Materials and Methods: Patients aged 65 years and older who underwent surgery for IH at Balıklıgöl State Hospital and Akçakale State Hospital between 01.12.2022 and 01.02.2024 were retrospec-tively reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups as emergency (G-EM) and elective (G-EL) surgery. Age, gender, comorbidities, type of operation, length of hospitalization and postoperative complications were recorded. Postoperative complications were recorded as wound infection, seroma and ileus. Results: The study included 72 patients. Sixty-one (84.7%) patients were in the G-EL group and 11 (15.3%) were in the G-EM group. The G-EL group was composed entirely of males, with a mean age of 70.9 years (range: 65-86), while the G-EM group included 6 males (54.5%) and 5 females (45.5%), with a mean age of 71.2 years (range: 65-89). The length of hospitalization was significantly shorter in the G-EL group (1.39 ± 0.62 days) compared to the G-EM group (4.50 ± 2.51 days, p < 0.001). Postoperative complications were occurred in 5 (45.6%) patients in the G-EM group and in 7 (11.5%) patients in the G-EL group, a significant difference was found (p=0.015). No mortality was observed in both groups. Conclusions: Although IH repair in the geriatric population is a concern due to comorbidities, we recommend elective mesh hernia repair for patients diagnosed with inguinal hernia to avoid the high complication rate after emergency repair as seen in our study and in the literature.
Keywords : Geriatri, İnguinal Herni, Komplikasyon

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