Preoperative Predictability of Bowel Resection in Incarcerated Inguinal Hernias
Abstract
Introduction: Incarcerated inguinal hernias are among the most frequently performed surgeries in emergency settings. In cases of strangulation, bowel and omentum resection may be necessary, which alters the nature of the surgery. This study aimed to investigate whether bowel resection in incarcerated inguinal hernias can be predicted using preoperative laboratory tests.
Materials and Methods: This single-center, retrospective study reviewed patients who underwent surgery for incarcerated inguinal hernias at Ankara Bilkent City Hospital between 2019 and 2023. The patients' demographic characteristics, laboratory parameters, and operative notes were examined. Patients who underwent bowel resection were classified as Group 1, while those who did not undergo bowel resection were classified as Group 2. Differences in laboratory parameters between Group 1 and Group 2 were analyzed.
Results: Out of 154 patients included in the study, 32 (20.8%) were in Group 1, and 122 (79.2%) were in Group 2. There was no statistically significant difference in preoperative evaluations of WBC, NLR, LUC, LUC%, lactate, and RDW values for predicting strangulation and bowel resection (p=0.278; p=0.053; p=0.163; p=0.073; p=0.494; p=0.973). However, LDH levels were significantly higher in the group requiring bowel resection (p=0.033).
Conclusion: LDH levels can predict bowel resection in patients with incarcerated inguinal hernias preoperatively. Normal levels of other parameters do not rule out strangulation. This should be particularly noted in patients undergoing manual reduction.
Keywords
References
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