Outpatient repair for inguinal hernia in elderly patients: still a challenge?

Bacground:Elective inguinal hernia repair as a day case is a safe and suitable procedure, with well-recognized feasibility. The increasing number of elderly patients requiring inguinal hernia repairleads clinicians to admit a growing number of outpatients. The aim of the current study was to analyze the outcomes (feasibility and safety) of day case treatment in elderly patients. Methods: Eighty patients > 80 years of age and 80 patients < 55 years of age underwent elective inguinal hernia repairs under local anesthesia. Results: There were no mortalities or major complications in elderly undergoing inguinal hernirraphies as outpatients, and only one unanticipated admission occurred in the younger age group. Conclusions: Elective inguinal hernia repair in the elderly has a good outcome, and age alone should not be a drwback to day case treatment.