Experience with 100 patients hospitalized for incarcerated groin hernia

The results of eight years' experience with 100 incarcerated hernias are presented. Without subdividing the patients into groups by age, the most frequent incarcerated hernia was the indirect inguinal hernia (86%), followed by the direct inguinal hernia (10%), and lastly by the femoral hernia (4%). Considering the hernias by types, strangulation occurred most frequently in the direct inguinal hernia (40%), followed by the femoral hernia (25%), and occurred least frequently in the indirect inguinal hernia (16%). Though direct hernias incarcerate infrequently, the high percentage of strangulation reflects the serious potential of these particular hernias when they do incarcerate. As would be expected, the morbidity and mortality were greatest in the oldest age group, while the pediatric group tolerated the surgery extremely well. Early diagnosis and aggressive management of hernias is encouraged.