title: [Tension-free hernioplasty in the aged. A report of 94 cases].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tension free inguinal hernioplasty has become the procedure of choice in the elderly. The operation of originally popularized by Lichtenstein and Shulman gives the best early result with low complication rates.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between January 1991 and December 1996, 94 subjects over 70 with inguinal hernia were submitted to hernioplasty. The tension-free technique was adopted utilizing a polypropylene mesh. Peridural anesthesia was the method used in 67 procedures, local anesthesia in 27 procedures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean hospital stay was 48 hours (short stay surgery). Noteworthy general complications were not observed. Superficial wound infection occurred in 2 patients; superficial skin hematoma in 4 patients. No recurrences were observed (mean follow-up 60 months). The primary inguinal hernias in the aged is due to a progressive deterioration of the inguinal floor (collagenolylis, overpowers net collagen synthesis and deposition in the floor of the inguinal canal).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tension-free inguinal hernioplasty, originally popularized by Lichtenstein and Shulman, is simple to perform and gives excellent results with low complication rates. Current evidence suggests it as operation of choice in the elderly.
authors.affiliation: Cattedra di Chirurgia Geriatrica, Università degli Studi, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Benfatto
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vadalà
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Giovinetto
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Benfatto
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Borina
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Licari
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Conti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giovinetto
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural; D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011126:Polypropylenes; D012008:Recurrence; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011126:Polypropylenes