Hernia Repair at Advanced Age: Is It Dangerous?

Hernias occur when a portion of the intestines or the contents of the abdomen bulge through a weak or damaged spot of a muscular wall. This condition is often caused by congenital defects, injuries, certain medical conditions, a decrease in muscle tone and strength, poor body mechanics, and aging. Regardless of the age of onset, most patients can manage their condition with lifestyle adjustments and medication. However, there are cases where hernia repair surgery is necessary, especially for seniors, because the risk of complications increases with age.

If you or an elderly loved one needs hernia repair surgery, there’s no need to worry. Modern medical technology and surgical practices have evolved tremendously over the last few years, so patients of all ages have better outcomes after surgery. It’s estimated that 40% of all surgical procedures performed in the United States are performed on patients 65 years old and older, according to a JAMA study. 

Because of their advanced age, seniors are a high-risk group of patients that should take extra precautions to prepare for their operation and recovery. Also, there are various factors surgeons must consider to ensure that proper measures are taken for an optimal outcome. Many don’t realize it, but hernia repair at an advanced age is not as dangerous or scary as it sounds.

Living With Hernia Symptoms at an Advanced Age

As people grow older, their body functions slow down, and their immunity decreases. Some medical conditions like hernias become more common with aging, and along with it comes more symptoms. Seniors also tend to be more sensitive to medication side effects. Lifestyle and dietary changes, along with other treatment recommendations, are not suitable for seniors with hernias. Older people are also more likely to experience multiple conditions at the same time, which can make it harder to manage symptoms. 

Medications and initial treatments are designed to improve symptoms. But depending on the type, location, and complexity of the hernia, repair surgery is often the most practical solution. Surgery fixes hernias to stop the following symptoms.

• Bulge in the stomach, groin, or abdomen
• Pain
• Bloody stools
• Constipation
• Heartburn
• Acid reflux
• Nausea and vomiting

Hernia repair surgery is a highly safe and effective procedure for elderly patients. Having the procedure performed by a hernia repair specialist is necessary to keep the compilation risks low.

Screening Factors Hernia Repair Specialists Use for Advanced Age Patients

Because surgery comes with an elevated risk of concerns for seniors, hernia surgeons take extra precautions before recommending surgery. Here are some factors hernia repair specialists take into consideration with elderly patients.

Hernia Cause and Type

Hernias are usually not serious or life-threatening, but without timely treatment, blood loss to the organs or intestines is likely. Therefore, it’s critical for hernia surgeons to determine the cause before providing treatment. The most common reasons hernia develops at advanced age include:

• Overweight or obesity
• Constipation
• Lifting heavy objects
• Prior pregnancies
• Abdominal strain
• Family history
• Injury or trauma to the abdomen
• History of abdominal surgeries
• Smoking
• Chronic coughing

Before surgery or any treatment is recommended, a formal diagnosis is necessary. Below are the most common types of hernias.

Hiatal Hernias are often diagnosed in patients 50 and older. Hiatal hernias occur when a portion of the stomach squeezes through an opening in the diaphragm into the chest. For many elderly patients, the condition is linked to acid reflux disease or GERD.

Femoral Hernias are often experienced by women 65 and older. The condition occurs when part of fatty tissues or part of the intestines bulge through a weak area next to the main blood vessels (femoral canal) in between the groin and thigh.

Inguinal Hernias are 30 percent more common in men than females and less severe than femoral hernias. This type of hernia develops near the inguinal canal between the groin and upper thigh. It’s common for some patients to have inguinal hernias on one side of the groin and a hernia on the opposite side.

Ventral Hernias develop when abdominal tissues or organs bulge through a weakness in the stomach area. This type of hernia is common with congenital and can develop over time from lifestyle and medical issues, such as obesity, pregnancy, abdominal surgeries, and advanced age.

The Severity of Hernia Present

Hernias vary in complexity and are not always singular. It is possible for some elderly patients to have multiple hernias and hernia types that require treatment. Also, some hernias are dangerous and can prevent vital organs from receiving blood.

Advanced Age Hernia Repair Patient Profile

Hernia repair has a high rate of success for patients of all ages. Yet, each patient’s health and circumstances are unique. Many hernia repair patients have other health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity and take medications that increase complication risks for hernia surgery patients.

In-depth health and medical assessments are necessary to identify all potential risks so hernia repair specialists can provide the safest and most suitable treatment recommendation. In some cases, especially for elderly patients over 69, surgery may not be a viable option.

Hernia repair requires anesthesia. Older patients are more vulnerable to the adverse effects of anesthesia and surgical medication. Their bodies take longer to metabolize medicines which can prolong the time it takes for the effects to wear off. This poses an exceptional risk to those with cognitive and certain physical disorders.

Surgery for Advanced Age Hernia Repair Patients

Hernia repairs are done surgically via traditional/open, robotic-assisted, and laparoscopic techniques. Each type of surgery has unique benefits and risks for patients, in particular those over the age of 60. Laparoscopic and robotic-assisted hernia repairs are safer, less traumatic, and easier to recover from and have lower infection, hernia recurrence, and complication rates than open hernia repair surgery. Conventional hernia surgery patients have longer recoveries, healing complications, more activity and lifestyle restrictions, and often require caregiver support at home.

Hernias are progressive and can be extremely debilitating or life-threatening without hernia repair. Surgery is not ideal for hernia patients who are without symptoms or experiencing mild symptoms occasionally. In most cases, initial treatments include monitoring the hernia and managing the symptoms with either over-the-counter, prescription, nutritional, or lifestyle recommendations, wearing a truss, or a combination of these options. For certain individuals with severe cases or whose symptoms fail to improve, surgery is the safest, quickest, and most effective hernia repair treatment.

To learn more about advanced-age hernia repair, contact Orange County Robotic General Surgery at (714)-541-4996.