Patients can wait for surgery relatively safely because the cumulative probability of strangulation for an inguinal hernia is no more than about 2% per year.

What percentage of inguinal hernias Strangulate?

After 3 months the cumulative probability of strangulation for inguinal hernias was 2.8 per cent, rising to 4.5 per cent after 2 years. For femoral hernias the cumulative probability of strangulation was 22 per cent at 3 months and 45 per cent at 21 months.

Can a inguinal hernia strangulate?

An incarcerated hernia can become strangulated, which cuts off the blood flow to the tissue that's trapped. A strangulated hernia can be life-threatening if it isn't treated. Signs and symptoms of a strangulated hernia include: Nausea, vomiting or both.