Unique Hernia Case
Paul Meyer
Description
Collection
Title:
Unique Hernia Case
Creator:
Paul Meyer
Date:
3/19/2015
Text:
Colleagues,
85 year old female but very energetic. This is everyone’s grandmother, ladies and gentlemen
Open heart surgery years ago but developed bronchitis shortly after the procedure which led to bouts of severe coughing. Eventually a small hernia appeared just inferior to her sternum. As the years went by, this hernia became as large as her breasts ( a C cup). In fact the presentation currently appears as a 3rd “breast”.
I palpated the hernia but did not attempt to reduce it; however she states that it can mostly be flattened out though. I do not know if this is stomach or intestines. I suspect stomach due to its very high location. She wants to undergo surgery but will not due to her children’s objections. So her doctor has offered her the alternative of orthotic intervention.
She is very ashamed of this deformity. I would like to do everything I can to help her. The only thing I can think of so far is a custom vest from Jobst with a pocket installed for a custom pad but when I called and discussed this with the designers they have not encountered this situation either. I am therefore hesitant to proceed, considering the high cost, to have them fab a product that may very well fail.
I am hoping that someone on the forum has some experience with this situation and can offer suggestions.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Paul Meyer, CPO
85 year old female but very energetic. This is everyone’s grandmother, ladies and gentlemen
Open heart surgery years ago but developed bronchitis shortly after the procedure which led to bouts of severe coughing. Eventually a small hernia appeared just inferior to her sternum. As the years went by, this hernia became as large as her breasts ( a C cup). In fact the presentation currently appears as a 3rd “breast”.
I palpated the hernia but did not attempt to reduce it; however she states that it can mostly be flattened out though. I do not know if this is stomach or intestines. I suspect stomach due to its very high location. She wants to undergo surgery but will not due to her children’s objections. So her doctor has offered her the alternative of orthotic intervention.
She is very ashamed of this deformity. I would like to do everything I can to help her. The only thing I can think of so far is a custom vest from Jobst with a pocket installed for a custom pad but when I called and discussed this with the designers they have not encountered this situation either. I am therefore hesitant to proceed, considering the high cost, to have them fab a product that may very well fail.
I am hoping that someone on the forum has some experience with this situation and can offer suggestions.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Paul Meyer, CPO
Citation
Paul Meyer, “Unique Hernia Case,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 1, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/237325.
