Is hernia surgery advisable for an 80 year old?

Conclusion Inguinal hernia surgery in the elderly may be safe and effective in an elective setting and if regional anesthesia is used. Careful examination of patients before surgery and identification of potential risk factors associated with co-existing diseases are vital for reducing the risk of complications.

Can you live with a hernia without having surgery?

If your hernia does not bother you, most likely you can wait to have surgery. Your hernia may get worse, but it may not. Over time, hernias tend to get bigger as the muscle wall of the belly gets weaker and more tissue bulges through. In some cases small, painless hernias never need repair.

What happens if you leave a hernia untreated?

“Hernias cannot heal on their own — if left untreated, they usually get bigger and more painful, and can cause serious health risks in some cases.” If the wall through which the intestine is protruding closes shut, it can cause a strangulated hernia, which cuts off blood flow to the bowel.

How do you treat a hernia in the elderly?

Treatment Options Mesh patches can be placed along the abdominal wall to keep the soft tissue in the correct position, and most seniors recover within just a few days. Seniors who have hernias should not exert themselves and consider professional in-home care when managing daily activities.

Is there an age limit for hernia surgery?

Unfortunately, there is no age-limit on hernias. Your risks of developing a hernia are higher if you are male, have a family history, smoke, are overweight, or have had previous abdominal surgery.

What is the most serious hernia?

Incisional Hernias If you have surgery in which a doctor makes an opening through your belly, you might get an incisional hernia later. Tissue can poke through a surgical wound that hasn’t totally healed. Like groin hernias, they can lead to more serious problems if they’re not repaired.

Which hernia is common in elderly?

BACKGROUND: Elderly patients are more prone to have inguinal hernia due to weakened abdominal musculature. However, surgi- cal repair of inguinal hernia (SRIH) may not be performed or may be delayed due to greater risk in presence of comorbidities.

How do doctors diagnose a hernia?

Doctors at NYU Langone typically diagnose a hernia by taking a medical history and performing a physical exam. Sometimes, imaging tests are used to help doctors diagnose a hernia, particularly when the bulge is small or when symptoms can be confused with other conditions, such as endometriosis in women or kidney stones.

Can a hernia be repaired without surgery?

Only surgery can repair a hernia. Many people are able to delay surgery for months or even years. And some people may never need surgery for a small hernia. If the hernia is small and you don’t have any symptoms, or if the symptoms don’t bother you much, you and your doctor may simply continue to watch for symptoms to occur.

What are the different methods for hernia repair in adults?

This is another method for hernia repair in adults. A surgeon inserts a thin, lighted scope through a small incision in the belly. Surgical tools to repair the hernia are inserted through other small incisions in the belly. Laparoscopic hernia surgery may have some advantages over open surgery in certain cases.

Do infants and children need surgery to repair a hernia?

This decision aid is not for parents of infants and children who have inguinal hernias. Infants and children always need surgery to repair a hernia because of the increased risk of incarceration and strangulation. Hernias don’t go away on their own. Only surgery can repair a hernia. Many people are able to delay surgery for months or even years.