SRM Global Hospitals recently achieved a significant medical milestone by successfully performing laparoscopic surgery to repair an inguinal hernia in a 90-year-old woman with multiple co-morbidities, including hypertension and coronary artery disease. Thanks to expert surgical care and a multidisciplinary approach, the patient made a smooth recovery and was discharged on the third day, walking out on her own.
Emergency Admission with Complex Medical History
As per the press release, the patient arrived at the hospital in an emergency condition, reporting a one-month history of swelling in the right groin. Initially reducible when lying down, the swelling had become persistent and painful. Further evaluation revealed bilateral inguinal hernias—both direct and indirect on the right and direct on the left—with small bowel loops as contents. Her medical history included 30 years of systemic hypertension, coronary artery disease, and a left-sided open hernia repair performed four decades ago.
Minimally Invasive Approach Ensures Faster Recovery
After a thorough peri-operative assessment, including cardiac evaluation, the surgical team deemed her fit for surgery. Led by Dr. Sugi Subramaniam, Senior Consultant in Gastrointestinal Surgery, HPB Surgery, and Liver Transplant, the team performed a bilateral trans-abdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) mesh repair using a laparoscopic approach. This minimally invasive technique significantly reduces surgical trauma, leading to quicker recovery and shorter hospital stays.
Multidisciplinary Care Enhances Outcomes
The surgery involved not just expert surgeons and anesthetists, but also a comprehensive support team, including cardiologists, who contributed to optimizing the patient’s condition before the procedure. Postoperatively, the patient was closely monitored in the ICU before being shifted to the general ward. Oral intake resumed on the first day after surgery, and her recovery progressed without complications.
Positive Outcomes Highlight Power of Geriatric Laparoscopic Surgery
Dr. Sugi Subramaniam noted that careful pre-surgical planning and minimally invasive techniques made it possible to safely operate on a nonagenarian with significant cardiac history. He emphasized that the patient tolerated the procedure well and continues to do well on follow-up.
Advancing Elderly Care Through Surgical Innovation
Dr. P. Sathyanarayanan, President of SRM Global Hospitals, highlighted the broader impact of such procedures in an aging population.
“Thanks to advances in medical and surgical care, more individuals are living into their 80s and 90s. As life expectancy increases, so does the demand for safe surgical interventions in the elderly. Geriatric laparoscopic surgery is a transformative solution. With meticulous planning, surgical precision, and focused post-operative care, we can reduce trauma and speed up recovery. At SRM Global Hospitals, we remain committed to improving the quality of life in older adults through innovation and teamwork.”
Conclusion
This case highlights the hospital’s surgical expertise. It also showcases the potential of minimally invasive techniques in elderly patients with complex medical conditions. With thoughtful care and multidisciplinary collaboration, age is no longer a barrier to life-enhancing surgery.