Abstract:

Objectives: The incidence of inguinal hernia and the frequency of comorbidity increase in the elderly. Therefore, in operations of these patients, anesthesia methods are important. The aim of our study was to investigate the feasibility of local anesthesia in the operation of the elderly. Materials and methods: The patients operated for inguinal hernia were analyzed retrospectively. They were divided into two groups: the elderly (>60 years) and the younger. Anesthesia methods, additional anesthesia requirement and complications were compared. Results: Of totally 177 patients, 30.5% were elderly. Operation type, anesthesia method and score of operational risk differed between groups. The percentage of co morbidity (55.6%) in the elderly was significantly high (p< 0.001). Among elderly, the frequency of co morbidity was slightly higher in patients who had local anesthesia compared to spinal and general anesthesia. Patients in young and middle ages preferred to be operated less under local anesthesia (34.1%) compared to elderly (70.4%). There was one case (2.6%) converted to general anesthesia as an additional anesthesia in the elderly group. Postoperative complications were slight more frequent in elderly. These cases were five in number (31.3%) and were operated under spinal or general anesthesia (p=0.002). Conclusions: The frequency of co morbidity and risk score of operation (ASA category) rise in the elderly. However, inguinal hernioraphy can be performed under local anesthesia without complication and conversion to general anesthesia.

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