Bladder outlet obstruction and inguinal hernia: incidence in males over fifty years of age.

Increased intra-abdominal pressure secondary to prostatic obstruction of the bladder outlet is frequently cited as an important factor in the formation of inguinal hernias in middle-aged and elderly males. However, as far as can be determined, the correlation of these two conditions has never been evaluated. Twenty-five male patients, aged fifty years or older, presenting for repair of inguinal hernia, were evaluated urologically, and the results are presented.