title: Inguinal hernia: follow or repair?
abstract: Observation is an acceptable management strategy for asymptomatic and minimally symptomatic inguinal hernias because it is safe. The rate of hernia accident is very low and is not an indication for surgery. However, patients who present to their physician with a hernia will almost certainly undergo a hernia repair if they live long enough.
authors.forename: Bala
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ramanan
authors.forename: Brittney J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Maloley
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Fitzgibbons
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012737:Sex Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D057832:Watchful Waiting / Q000191:economics