Risk factors for bowel resection and outcome in patients with incarcerated groin hernias

Purpose This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the risk factors for bowel resection and outcome in patients with incarcerated groin hernias. Methods The records of all adult patients who had undergone emergency hernia repair for incarcerated groin hernia from January 1999 to June 2009 were analyzed. One hundred and eighty-two patients with incarcerated groin hernias were included in this study. Bowel resection was required in 28 patients (15.4%). Results One hundred and twenty-six patients (69.2%) were covered by various types of health insurance. Twenty-six patients (14.3%) were hospitalized for mechanical bowel obstruction or had obvious symptoms of simultaneous bowel obstruction. Obvious peritonitis was found in seven patients (3.8%). A logistic regression model identified three independent risk factors for bowel resection: lack of health insurance (odds ratio [OR], 5, P = 0.005), obvious peritonitis (OR, 11.52, P = 0.019), and femoral hernia (OR, 8.31, P