Management of Strangulated Inguinal Hernias in People Aged 60 Years and Over at the Prefectural Hospital of Kissidougou, Republic of Guinea-Conakry

Abstract

Introduction: Strangulated inguinal hernias in the elderly remain a real public health problem due to their risk of intestinal necrosis leading to a high rate of morbidity and mortality. The objective of our study was to evaluate the management of strangulated inguinal hernias in people aged 60 and over at the prefectural hospital of Kissidougou.

Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study over a 3-year period from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020. The material consisted of all the files of patients operated on for a strangulated inguinal hernia in the elderly during the study period.

Results: During this study period, we recorded 76 files of patients operated on for HIE in the elderly, i.e. a frequency of 3.34% compared to the types of hernias. The average age of our patients was 70.46 years with extremes of 60 years and 83 years. 88% of patients were male with a sex ratio of 7.4. Farmers were the most affected, i.e. 32.89%. HBP and diabetes were the main associated pathologies with 51.32% and 34.21% respectively. General anesthesia was used in all our patients. The BASSINI technique was performed in 100% of cases. The evolution was favorable in 80.26%. The case fatality rate was 3.95%.The average length of hospitalization of our patients was 8.38 days.

Conclusion: Improving the prognosis of these patients would require early diagnosis and especially early management of all cases of simple inguinal hernias.