To explore the surgical treatment for elderly patients with incarcerated inguinal hernia during the pandemic of novel corona virus.

From November 2022 to January 2023, the clinical data of 16 elderly patients with incarcerated inguinal hernia who suffered from novel coronavirus infection were retrospectively analyzed in the Gastrointestinal Hernia Surgery Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University. According to the preoperative rapid assessment and the results of intraoperative exploration, 10 patients were treated with laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) inguinal hernia repair, 3 patients were treated with laparoscopic assisted partial small bowel resection, 3 patients were treated with manual reduction under general anesthesia.The outcomes of patients with different treatments were observed by telephone follow-up after discharge.

10 patients who underwent TAPP recovered and were discharged from hospital, and all survived after 1 month follow-up. Of the 3 patients underwent laparoscopic assisted partial small bowel resection, 1 patient died of sudden myocardial infarction after discharge, and 2 patients survived after 1 month follow-up. Of the 3 patients who treated with manual reduction under general anesthesia, 1 patient recovered and was discharged from hospital, 1 patient died of recurrent hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage, and 1 patient lost follow-up after discharge.

Rapid and relatively comprehensive preoperative assessment for elderly patients with COVID-19, flexible surgical treatment strategies based on this, and multidisciplinary cooperation throughout the treatment are all necessary conditions to ensure the recovery of elderly patients.