Prognostic Factors of Postoperative Morbidity and Mortality of Adult Strangulated Groin Hernia

The aim of this work is provide the results of the surgical treatment of strangulated groin hernias and determine morbidity and mortality risk factors. It is a retrospective study related to the 288 records of patients aged 15 years and more, who underwent emergency surgery for strangulated groin hernia from January 2007 to December 2012. Postoperative evolution was assessed on the morbidity, mortality, and length of hospital stay. Mortality and morbidity risk factors were studied. The statistical analysis was conducted with the chi-square test and Fischer’s exact test with a significance level of 5 %. Strangulated groin hernias account for 42.2 % of the overall groin hernia operations conducted during the study period (288/697). Necroses were present in 59 (20.5 %) patients. The mortality rate was 6.2 % (n = 18). Admission time superior or equal to 48 h (p = 0.002), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class superior or equal to III (p = 0.002), presence of preoperative strangulated groin hernia complication (peritonitis, occlusion, hernia abscesses) (p = 0.001), bowel necrosis (p = 0.000), and bowel resection (p = 0.000) were statistically related to a high risk of death. Forty-two (n = 42) postoperative complications were recorded in 34 (11.8 %) patients. These complications were outnumbered by postoperative parietal suppuration (n = 26) which led to three cases of evisceration. Bowel necrosis was related to a high risk of postoperative complications (p = 0.002). Reoperation was necessary for 13 patients. The length of stay in hospital was 4 days (range between 1 and 28 days). The average follow-up period was 7 months. No recurrence was noticed during this period. Delay in consultation, high ASA class, and moreover, bowel necrosis requiring bowel resection are the factors of unfavorable postoperative results. Groin hernias are an avoidable death cause provided that early treatment of strangulated hernias and the elective treatment of non-complicated hernias are conducted.