Predicting Resection in Incarcerated Hernia with Simple Markers

Objective: This study analyzes the resection prediction power of simple markers derived from complete blood count and blood chemistry.
Methods: Data from 196 patients who underwent emergency surgery for incarcerated hernia between the January 2013 and the December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients with femoral hernia (n=19) were further excluded from the statistical analysis to prevent the interference of hernia type on resection decision. The patients were divided into two groups according to their resection status.
Results: Demographic data were similar in both groups. The calculated cut-off value for neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was 5.8175 with sensitivity of 83.7% and specificity of 51.2 NLR was found to have the strongest predictive value with (Odds ratio=5.38 and p-value=0.001).
Conclusion: Elevated NLR level can be used as a predictive biomarker to predict the need for resection in incarcerated abdominal wall hernias.