Laparoscopic versus open inguinal hernia repair in octogenarians

Purpose: This retrospective chart review was designed to compare outcomes for open and laparoscopic repair of inguinal hernias in the population over the age of 80. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted for 104 patients over 80 years old who underwent inguinal hernia repair (2005-2008) at The Mount Sinai Medical Center. Patients were grouped into laparoscopic or open repair cohorts and compared accordingly. Results: The open group (n = 73) and the laparoscopic group (n = 31) had mean ages of 84 and 83 years, respectively. The mean American Society of Anesthesiologists score was 2.6 for the open cohort and 2.3 for the laparoscopic group (P < 0.05). Peri-operative complications in the open and laparoscopic groups were not found to be statistically significant. There was no mortality in either group. Conclusions: With octogenarians, laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair can be performed as a safe alternative to open repair with comparable rates of morbidity and mortality.