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Can I Ignore An Herniated Bowel Along With Abdominal Hernia At 80 Yrs Of Age?
Hi. I am 80 yrs old. 20 yrs. ago I started with an abdominal hernia: as it did not worry me I have lived with it ever since; it just means my bellybutton protrudes. However my Doctor tells me I now have a herniated bowel and I wondered if this is because it has fallen into the space because of my umbilical hernia? It does not worry me at all and in view of my age would you consider it a good idea to leave things as they are? Peggy Mathieu
Mon, 10 Mar 2014
Hi Mrs. Mathieu,
Thanks for your query.
Usually, protrusion of a portion of bowel through umbilical hernia, remains symptom free and pose no threat to life.
However, if it has progressed to a stage, where there is a high possibility of the protruding bowel getting strangulated with possible consequent gangrene, it can life-threatening and therefore, requires surgical repair of the umbilical hernia.
Your doctor is the best judge to evaluate the chances of strangulation and whether the risk is significant enough to warrant surgery.
If you find my response helpful and informative, do not forget an “excellent” (5-star rating) to my answer, to ENCOURAGE ALL doctors- engaged in social service- to render sound advice to the FREE queries.
Take care
Dr. Rakesh Karanwal
Thanks for your query.
Usually, protrusion of a portion of bowel through umbilical hernia, remains symptom free and pose no threat to life.
However, if it has progressed to a stage, where there is a high possibility of the protruding bowel getting strangulated with possible consequent gangrene, it can life-threatening and therefore, requires surgical repair of the umbilical hernia.
Your doctor is the best judge to evaluate the chances of strangulation and whether the risk is significant enough to warrant surgery.
If you find my response helpful and informative, do not forget an “excellent” (5-star rating) to my answer, to ENCOURAGE ALL doctors- engaged in social service- to render sound advice to the FREE queries.
Take care
Dr. Rakesh Karanwal
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