Long-term results of surgery for incarcerated groin hernia

Incarcerated or strangulated groin hernia was treated in 114 patients in 1976-1985. Manual reduction was performed on 23 patients (20%), all younger than 15 years, and was followed by elective herniorrhaphy within 48 hours in all but one case. Three patients with median age 80 years died in the postoperative period. The cumulated recurrence rate after 5 years was 6.2%, which compared well with long-term results after elective herniorrhaphy. The risk of recurrence thus is not an argument for delayed surgery. Taxis is concluded to be the preferred immediate treatment in children, while adults should be operated on without delay.