Father 82 years old, stage 4 cancer, 2/3 of a lung, blood clot issues, needs hernia surgery. Family knows the risks of having the surgery not and not having the surgery.Not sure what to do. He is not in any pain and not having any issues other the size of hernia is growing. Started 7 mo ago with a 3 finger to now a canalope size hernia.
Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. I can understand your situation and problem. In my opinion, you should withhold surgery for hernia. He is not having any symptoms of hernia which need emergency surgery. The main reason for avoiding surgery in his case is his highly compromised Cardio respiratory system. Surgery will be life-threatening for him, intraoperatively as well as post operative. He may succumb on operation table. And hernia surgery will not increase his life span. So why to take risk of life. Better to start conservative treatment for hernia like abdominal belt, avoid coughing and straining etc.