Hernia Forum - Hernia operation alternatives

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Q: Hernia operation alternatives

asked by: dmain on November 1st, 2008

New User

Hello,

I'm new to this forum and have some questions regarding my Father who has a large Hernia. I'd appreciate any comments form the experts!

My Father is 78 years old, he has had a hernia in his groin for about 8 years now, which has progresively got larger. He had a belt to hold the hernia in, which was never really fantasitc, but since he was hospitalised with a stomach complaint a couple of months ago, the hernia has enlarged and will not now push back into the abdomen. My Dad has chronic Asthma, and a Heart condition. We know form what an anaesthsetist told us a couple of months ago, that a general anasthetic would probably prove fatal, and a local would not be effective enough. The hernia is now very large (I'd estimate the size of a bag of sugar) and painful when it hangs down, and he is understandably very depressed about the whole thing. He has an appointment with a consultant again next week, but we are all worried that this could all get very serious, very soon.

So my question is: is there an alternative to an operation? If the operation under general is too risky, and the local is not strong enough, then what? I can't see a way forward, he can't go on as he is for much longer. The consulatnts he's seen in the recent past have been either non-commital, or have put of a decision for '3 months' or so.

Thanks in advance!

Regards,

Dalman.

Replies(8)

leewiz

replied on November 3rd, 2008

Experienced User

Hello Dalman,

I'm sorry to hear about your father's condition. IT must be worrying as his child to watch him in pain. Although I could find no alternatives to a hernia repair surgery, I did find some ways that he can manage the hernia for now:

1. Losing weight is helpful if he is overweight.
2. If he frequently needs to strain when to move bowels, speak to his doctor. The doctor may prescribe stool-softening medication or suggest that a diet modification to include more high-fiber foods.

Have you considered Videoscopic (Laparoscopic) Repair?

^Serenity^

replied on November 3rd, 2008

Moderator

Hi

Sorry to hear about your dad's health issues. your worries are valid ones. I am concerned if the hernia gets entangled with his intestines. This happened to a family member (it happens more than we hear about).
Have you asked all these questions with your dad's doctor?

IF your dad does have the surgery make sure they do not use mesh (polypropylene) they can use a bio-mesh.
I know this a lot to absorb. It hard dealing with sick a parent.
I'm not sure of any other alternative to surgery.
Please do your research and ask questions.
Keep us posted.

dmain

replied on November 5th, 2008

New User

Thanks very much for the replies.

My Dad saw the consultant today, and he said that there was no alternative to an operation now. He is going to do it under local anasthetic - I think epidural.

Fingers crossed he will be OK. The consultant said his chances were much better than 50:50 with an epidural and a planned procedure rather than emergency (ie stopping heart tablets etc).

Any further comments on this procedure very welcome.

Regards,

Dmain

^Serenity^

replied on November 6th, 2008

Moderator

Please keep us updated with the hernia repair on your dad.

All the best.. Smile

gzp

replied on November 13th, 2008

New User

There's really no alternative other than not having surgery which may be risky because of the chances of incarceration. It's not clear to me why the local may not be enough for him. I know Shouldice performs surgery on elderly patients, there was a man in his 80's when I was there. The heart condition may be a problem as far as surgery even with a local.

Acuphealing

replied on March 12th, 2009

New User

Alternative to Hernia Surgery

I am an acupuncturist in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I have a patient I've been treating for hernia pain successfully. It does seem to quell the pain significantly - not permanently but is so much nicer than having to go through surgery... did your dad have the surgery in the end?

Dr. Marcy

tomasdesantafe

replied on September 8th, 2009

New User

Leaving a Hernia untreated can result in a Strangulated Hernia.

Acuphealing,

You're suggesting a method of pain control only and accupuncture does nothing to treat the underlying symptoms. The question is whether there is an alternative to surgery and the simple answer is NO. If the patient decides not to have surgery there is a serious health risk of a strangulated hernia which could require emergency surgery. Left untreated, a minor problem can easily become a major one.

Surgery is the only way to repair a hernia.

herniahiccup

replied on September 8th, 2009

New User

My dad is in the same position. He is 68 and has already had surgery 9 years ago, which was unsuccessful. He has experienced strangulation and incarceration and at the moment the hernia is the size of a football approximately. He also has angina and the doctors here (in South Africa) aren't too sure what to do either. He has constant bladder pressure and is so uncomfortable. It is slowly getting worse but no-one seems too sure what steps to take next.

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