Inguinal hernia: challenging the traditional indication for surgery in asymptomatic patients.

Background: It is generally accepted that most inguinal hernias should be operated on electively in order to avoid the high morbidity and mortality associated with incarceration and small bowel obstruction. The present study reassesses the indication for surgery in asymptomatic inguinal hernia patients.

Methods: We analyzed profiles, separately, for elective and emergency inguinal herniorrhaphies and compared the morbidity and mortality rates.