Turkish Journal of
GERIATRICS

Ankara Numune Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, 3. Cerrahi Kliniği Ankara In this prospective-controlled study, the morbidity and mortality rates of elective inguinal hernia repair in patients aged 65 years or more (Elderly group were investigated, and were compared with those of the patients younger than 65-year (Younger group). Ninety patients operated on in a one-year period were included in the study (33 pts in EG and 57 pts in YG). The rate of the patients with concomitant disease was higher in EG than that of YG. The average hospital stay in the preoperative period was longer for EG than that of YG (2.39/1.55; p=0.05). Nine patients (%27.3) in EG were operated on with local anesthesia because of serious coexistent cardio-pulmonary disorders. No mortality and no intraoperative surgical complications were recorded throughout the study. There was no difference between the groups in postoperative surgical complications rates (EG; %6.1; YG; % 12.3, p=0.35). The wound infection rates of two groups were also similar (EG: %3.0; YG: %3.5, p=0.90). Postoperative cardio-pulmonary complication incidence was higher in EG than that of YG, but with no statistically significance. The patients who developed postoperative cardio-pulmonary complication stayed longer in hospital than the patients with no complications. However, there were no differences between EG and YG regarding postoperative hospital stay and total hospitalization time. We conclude that elective inguinal hernia repair can be done in the elderly as safely as in younger patients after a careful preoperative preparation. Keywords : Elderly, Inguinal hernia, Elective hernia repair, Concomitant disease, Postoperative morbidity, Wound infection, Bassini repair, Lichtenstein technique