Inguinal Herniorrhaphy in Patient with Cirrhosis of Liver and Ascites

ABSTRACT

The records of 15 cirrhotic patients with ascites and groin hernias(14 inguinal and one femoral) were retrospectively reviewed. Fifteen patients underwent repair of their groin hernias. All patients were performed herniorrhaphies electively. No major and one minor(wound infection) postoperative complications occurred. There were no perioperative deaths or ascitic leak. All patients were available for follow-up. In this group, 7 deaths occurred after herniorrhaphy, 5 of 7 were Child's Class B and 2 of 7 were Child's Class C. In this same group of patients, mean alive duration were 25.7 month(4-89 months). From this retrospective study, it appears that serious complications from groin hernias in cirrhotics are not common, and elective repair can usually await control of ascites. Additionally, for appropriately selected patients with ascites, elective inguinal hernia repair can be performed safely, with an acceptable rate of recurrence.