The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Reproduced with permissionThe number of seniors in Singapore who are undergoing major surgeries is increasing as the population ages. Mrs Babe Lim, 94, fractured her shoulder and hip and opted for surgery. Despite her age, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital's orthopaedic surgeon Dr Kevin Yik still recommended it, noting that the alternative for Mrs Lim would have been to stay in bed or move around in a wheelchair for at least six weeks.
A growing trend of older patients are undergoing major surgeries, such as large bowel surgery, breast cancer surgery, knee replacement surgery, and colorectal cancer surgery. The rise in surgeries is attributed to longer lifespans and the prevalence of age-related conditions. Some of the benefits of surgery include improved function and reduced mortality rates. Minimally invasive procedures, such as keyhole surgery, are now widely used, leading to faster recovery times. Hospitals are taking steps to prepare seniors for the surgical process and aid in their recovery through geriatric surgical services and rehabilitation programs.
Mr Francis Ee, 89, had a hernia in his lower abdomen for over 20 years, but he managed to cope with it by regularly massaging it into place without undergoing surgery. Earlier this year, he experienced severe pain and consulted a doctor. He underwent a laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair, a minimally invasive procedure that lasted about one and a half hours, at Alexandra Hospital. He was discharged on the same day and is now recovering well.
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