Emergency hernia repairs in elderly patients.

The aim of this study was to determine the clinical presentation, morbidity, and mortality and to identify the factors that might affect the outcome of emergency repair in elderly patients. A study of 143 patients (> 65 years old) who underwent emergency surgical repair for incarcerated external hernias during the period 1992-2001 was done. Fifty patients (35%) presented after 48 hours of symptoms onset.