[Incarcerated inguinal hernia in elderly: personal tension-free hernioplastic technique].

AIMS OF THE STUDY: With the increasing of the middle age, more and more elderly patients with incarcerated inguinal hernia have to be surgically treated with lower operatory time and lower anesthesiological stress. The Authors present a personal tension-free hernioplastic technique.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirthy-seven male patients (range 80-92 years) recovered for incarcerated inguinal hernia (Gilbert II tipe) without vascular injury, underwent to tension-free hernioplastic technique without inguinal canal opening, in local anaesthesia.

RESULTS: The average operative time was 33 minutes (range 25-42 min). Follow-up at 10 days, 3 months and 5 years shows a correct position of the plug, no recurrence, no alterations of normal testicular vascolarization in absence of paresthesia or chronic pain. The post-operative pain was absent or trascurable whitout the use of any antalgical therapy.