新证据表明,由于肠梗阻和嵌顿的风险很小,症状较轻腹股沟疝患者可选择观察病情的治疗选项。[47]Fitzgibbons RJ Jr, Giobbie-Hurder A, Gibbs JO, et al. Watchful waiting vs repair of inguinal hernia in minimally symptomatic men: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2006;295:285-292.http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/295/3/285.longhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16418463?tool=bestpractice.com但是,这些患者中有相当高比例会在 5 到 10 年期间出现症状,并选择接受修复术。[48]Mizrahi H, Parker MC. Management of asymptomatic inguinal hernia: a systematic review of the evidence. Arch Surg. 2012;147:277-281.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22430913?tool=bestpractice.com[49]Fitzgibbons RJ Jr, Ramanan B, Arya S, et al. Long-term results of a randomized controlled trial of a nonoperative strategy (watchful waiting) for men with minimally symptomatic inguinal hernias. Ann Surg. 2013;258:508-515.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24022443?tool=bestpractice.com这类患者应每隔 6 个月接受随访。因持续观察病情,最终因症状加重并接受修补术的患者所面临风险不会更高。
除非有并发症,否则患者术后只需复诊一次。