[Surgery of inguinal and femoral hernia in the elderly]. / La chirurgia dell'ernia inguinale e crurale nell'anziano.

ABSTRACT

Old people are continuously increasing in frequency but age is not a significant factor to value the operative risk in hernia surgery. From June 1985 to December 1996, 189 patients, aged > 80-year, were submitted to hernia surgery. No complications were noted when elective surgery was performed. Emergent procedure was undertaken in 7% of the patients major perioperative complications and one death were registered in this group of patients. Mean hospital stay has decreased in the period of the study was 2.2 days in the last two years. Local anesthesia permitted a day surgery procedure in 60% of cases.