01/09/2025

MONDAY | SEP 1, 2025

26

HEALTH

Hernia in elderly men o Early diagnosis, minimally invasive op speeds up patients’ recovery

A hernia occurs when an organ or other tissue pushes through a weak ened muscle or connective tissue area. While often underestimated, hernias are more common than many realise. In 2019, 32.53 million cases of inguinal, femoral and abdominal hernias were recorded globally, with 13.02 million new cases – primarily among men aged 50 to 69. Approximately 25% of men in this age group experience an inguinal hernia during their lifetime. anatomy and physiology The increased susceptibility of men to hernias is fundamentally linked to their unique anatomical structure. During embryonic development, the testicles in men start inside the abdomen and descend into the scrotum via the abdominal wall. This descent creates a natural opening, the inguinal canal, which remains a potential weak point in the abdominal wall, predisposing men to developing inguinal hernias. In most cases, this canal closes properly, preventing any complications. Hernias develop when internal pressure exceeds the strength of the abdominal wall, exploiting natural or acquired weak points. Several factors increase the risk, such as: 0 Chronic cough or constipation 0 A history of abdominal or pelvic surgeries 0 Obesity 0 Strenuous physical activity or improper lifting techniques Recognising hernia symptoms Hernias can present in various forms, with the most common types being inguinal and umbilical hernias, alongside less frequent varieties such as Spigelian and Lumbar hernias. While some hernias may remain asymptomatic, others may cause noticeable swelling, discomfort or pain. Patients often present either with a visible lump or pain. The danger of delaying treatment carries a risk, as 5% of patients experience incarceration or strangulation, where the intestine becomes trapped and cannot be repositioned. This can result in serious complications requiring more complex surgical interventions. Otherwise, the lumps may increase in size, making surgical intervention more challenging. Key warning signs include a bulge or lump in the affected area, particularly in the groin or abdomen, discomfort or pain that worsens with physical activity, coughing, or heavy lifting, severe pain, nausea or vomiting in strangulation cases. Advancements in hernia repair: Era of single port surgery Hernias do not resolve without intervention, highlighting the importance of timely medical attention. Modern surgical Understanding root cause: CHILDREN with life-threatening congenital heart valve defects for whom donor hearts are not available can benefit from partial heart transplants, a study suggests. In the first 19 patients to undergo partial heart transplants using only a donor’s valves, all valves were still functioning during an average follow-up of six months, according to

HEYDOC HEALTH, AMMETLIFE INK MOU ON DATA OPTIMISATION PLAN AmMetLife Insurance Bhd has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Heydoc Health to launch Malaysia’s first drug optimisation programme, leveraging data-driven insights and technology to improve the affordability and long-term sustainability of healthcare coverage. The collaboration aims to help customers access the right medication at fair prices, without comprising quality or continuity of care. Under this MoU, Heydoc Health’s platform will analyse publicly available pricing data for commonly prescribed medications to benchmark real-world market prices, providing pricing recommendations that are affordable for patients while sustainable for providers, and updating these dynamically as market conditions change. AmMetLife will use these pricing benchmarks to ensure its network hospitals and clinics maintain competitive charges, giving customers the best value in medical care. The programme will be rolled out in phases, starting with high-utilisation medications and expanding to a wider range over time. SUN LIFE MALAYSIA HOLDS NATIONWIDE BLOOD GLUCOSE SCREENINGS Sun Life Malaysia has launched its sixth annual nationwide Blood Glucose Screening Programme. This year’s initiative brings together BookDoc, Health Lane Family Pharmacy, Roche Diagnostics Malaysia and MOG Eyewear Malaysia to expand active diabetes screening to over 228 locations nationwide until October 2025. Data from the 2024 programme, which screened 5,190 individuals, revealed that nearly one-third had elevated blood glucose levels. This included 16% in the pre-diabetic range and 14% in the diabetic range. These findings also highlight a particularly urgent concern among the youth. Notably, 25% of those affected were aged 18 to 40, with a shocking 84% of young adults, aged 18 to 29, unaware of their risk. Alarmingly, 15% of individuals, aged 18 to 20, already fall within pre-diabetic or diabetic ranges, underscoring the critical need for youth-focused health education.

BR I E F S

Men are more susceptible to hernia due to their reproductive anatomy.

Empowering patients through knowledge and collaboration Effective hernia management extends beyond surgical intervention, emphasising the importance of patient education and collaboration between patients and their healthcare providers. Patients need to be empowered with the knowledge to make informed decisions and actively participate in their treatment journey. Engaging patients in the decision making process empowers them to make informed choices and actively participate in their treatment journey. This approach improves outcomes and minimises the recurrence rate when patients understand and follow their care plan. This article is contributed by Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City consultant in general surgery and upper gastrointestinal surgery Dr Soon Yuen.

treatments now offer tailored solutions based on the severity and complexity of the hernia: 0 Watch and wait Small, asymptomatic hernias may be monitored without immediate risk. However, hernias that are increasing in size or causing symptoms should be addressed with medical attention. 0 Open surgery This traditional method involves a larger incision to repair the hernia with stitches or mesh, often used for large or complicated cases. 0 Laparoscopic surgery This minimally invasive approach uses small incisions, reducing scarring and recovery time. It includes single-port surgery. Single-port surgery is at the forefront of minimally invasive techniques, requiring only one small incision to repair the hernia. This technique reduces scarring, postoperative pain and recovery time compared to traditional and laparoscopic surgeries. Most patients can go home the

success, it’s a versatile option that can be used across a range of heart conditions,” study leader Dr Joseph Turek said in a statement. “We’re seeing valves that grow, function well, and require less immunosuppressant medication than a full heart transplant. That’s a huge win for these kids and their families.” None of the patients has needed a same day, resume daily activities within three to seven days, and many do not require painkillers. Advanced surgical expertise remains crucial for complex cases, such as giant or recurrent hernias. Single-port surgery, however, represents a leap forward in ensuring most patients’ faster and smoother recovery. Preventing Hernias While some hernia risk factors such as anatomy and age are unavoidable, lifestyle changes can reduce its risk: 0 Practise proper lifting techniques 0 Maintain a recommended healthy body weight 0 Increase core strength 0 Avoid chronic coughing or constipation by addressing underlying conditions. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent complications. Seeking medical attention early improves recovery outcomes and quality of life.

Partial heart transplants in kids with valve defects show promise: Study further procedure on the new heart valves or had complications from immunosuppression. How patients and their new valves will fare over longer periods is not clear yet, the authors said. a report in JAMA from surgeons at Duke University.

The youngest patient was two days’ old at the time of surgery. Eighteen patients were under 16. So far, the transplanted valves have been growing as the children grow, researchers reported. “This study shows that partial heart transplantation is not just a one-time

While partial heart transplantation has the potential to provide growing and living tissue for valve replacement, it “is not a panacea but rather a promising step forward that requires further refinement”, the researchers said. – Reuters

In many cases, the procedures were done as so-called domino transplants, in which children receiving complete heart transplants for non-valve conditions donated their usable old heart valves to the partial heart recipients.