Abstract: Objective To investigate the cause and treatment of incarcerated hernia in elderly patients with intestinal necrosis. Methods A retrospective study was conducted using the data of 20 elderly patients more than 80 years old with incarcerated hernia combined with intestinal necrosis from January 2013 to December 2017 in our department. Emergency surgery was performed for all cases. Intestinal necrosis was diagnosed operatively and intestinal resection was performed combined with intestinal anastomosis. Two cases were processed with tension-free hernia repair and the other 18 cases were operated with Bassini repair. Drainage was placed under external abdominal oblique muscle fascia. Results The operation was completed successfully for all patients. Two patients died of pulmonary infection on postoperative 5 day and 11 day, respectively. The other patients were cured. During the period of postoperative follow-up, neither complication nor recurrence was found. Conclusions Surgical treatment could be considered as safe procedure for elderly patients with incarcerated hernia combined with intestinal necrosis. Early diagnosis and active prevention of pulmonary infection have positive effects on the prognosis of elderly patients.

Key words: Elder patients, Incarcerated hernia, Intestinal necrosis