Inguinal hernioraphy under local anesthesia in the elderly patients

Objectives: The incidence of inguinal hernia and the frequencyof comorbidity increase in the elderly. Therefore,in operations of these patients, anesthesia methods areimportant. The aim of our study was to investigate the feasibilityof local anesthesia in the operation of the elderly.Materials and methods: The patients operated for inguinalhernia were analyzed retrospectively. They weredivided into two groups: the elderly (>60 years) and theyounger. Anesthesia methods, additional anesthesia requirementand complications were compared.Results: Of totally 177 patients, 30.5% were elderly.Operation type, anesthesia method and score of operationalrisk differed between groups. The percentage of comorbidity (55.6%) in the elderly was significantly high (p<0.001). Among elderly, the frequency of co morbidity wasslightly higher in patients who had local anesthesia comparedto spinal and general anesthesia. Patients in youngand middle ages preferred to be operated less under localanesthesia (34.1%) compared to elderly (70.4%). Therewas one case (2.6%) converted to general anesthesiaas an additional anesthesia in the elderly group. Postoperativecomplications were slight more frequent in elderly.These cases were five in number (31.3%) and were operatedunder spinal or general anesthesia (p=0.002).Conclusions: The frequency of co morbidity and riskscore of operation (ASA category) rise in the elderly.However, inguinal hernioraphy can be performed underlocal anesthesia without complication and conversion togeneral anesthesia.Key words: Inguinal hernia; aged; comorbidity; local anesthesia