Paraesophageal hernia comprises only 2 approximately 5% of all hiata hernias but is prone to incarceration and strangulation. For this reason they must be recognized and repaired as expeditiously as possible. The laparoscopic approach has already been successfully applied to the repair of the more common sliding hiatal hernia and it seems reasonable to propose that the paraesophageal hernia, provided it is not complicated, might also be repaired by the laparoscopic technique. We present here a case of paraesophageal hernia which has been successfully repaired by the laparoscopic approach. A 73-year-old female suffering from postprandial fullness in the retrosternal area was diagnosed preoperatively with paraesophageal hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal acid reflux and was submitted for laparoscopic repair. The procedure entailed reduction of the hernia, mobilization of the esophagogastric junction with crural repair and partial fundoplication. At the 9th-month follow-up, the patient had remained asymptomatic and follow-up studies revealed no evidence of hernia or acid reflux. As a result of this favorable experience with minimal morbidity, early hospital discharge, and effective control of symptoms without adverse sequalae, laparoscopic repair can be considered as the curative and minimal invasive method in the management of paraesophageal hernia.
Aged ; Case Report ; Female ; Hernia, Hiatal/complications/*surgery ; Human ; Laparoscopy

Gastropleural fistula is a very rare disorder, caused by various conditions, such as trauma and postoperative complication, subphrenic abscess, malignancy, hiatal hernia. The major causes of the gastropleural fistula have changed from trauma and subphrenic abscess to postoperative complication of malignant disorders. We report a case of empyema that developed respiratory failure caused by gastropleural fistula in a middle age woman with review of related articles.
Empyema ; Female ; Fistula* ; Hernia, Hiatal ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; Respiratory Insufficiency* ; Subphrenic Abscess

We performed this study to evaluate the prevalence of reflux esophagitis and/or hiatal hernia in patients referred to a medical center and to examine the relationship between endoscopic reflux esophagitis and hiatal hernia. The study was carried out in 1,010 patients referred to Yong Dong Severance Hospital for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy because of symptoms related to the gastrointestinal tract from September 1994 to March 1996. The presence of hiatal hernia was defined as a circular extension of the gastric mucosa of 2 cm or more above the diaphragmatic hiatus. Reflux esophagitis was found in 5.3% of patients, hiatal hernia in 4.1%, duodenal ulcer in 7.2% and gastric ulcer in 8.2%. The prevalence rates of reflux esophagitis and hiatal hernia in males were significantly higher than those in females. Thirty-two percent of patients with reflux esophagitis had hiatal hernia. In patients without reflux esophagitis, hiatal hernia was found in only 2.5% (p<0.01). There was no significant association between the presence of hiatal hernia and the degree of esophagitis on endoscopy. Duodenal ulcer was the second most common endoscopic abnormality found in patients with reflux esophagitis. The prevalence rate of reflux esophagitis and/or hiatal hernia at a medical center is relatively low compared to peptic ulcer disease and other reports from the Western countries. Our study confirms the close association between reflux esophagitis and hiatal hernia.
Adolescence ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Esophagitis, Peptic/epidemiology ; Esophagitis, Peptic/complications* ; Female ; Hernia, Hiatal/epidemiology ; Hernia, Hiatal/complications* ; Human ; Korea/epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Age ; Sex Factors

Objective: To analyze the short-term clinical effects of robot-assisted and laparoscopic repair of the hiatal hernia. Methods: The clinical data of 56 patients underwent minimally invasive hiatal hernia repair from January 2021 to January 2022 in the Department of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Hernias and Abdominal Wall Surgery, People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region were retrospectively analyzed. There were 32 males and 24 females, aging (59.7±10.7) years (range: 28 to 75 years). All patients were divided into laparoscopy group (n=27) and robot group (n=29) according to surgical procedures. Perioperative conditions, hospital stay, and improvement in symptoms before and after surgery were compared between the two groups by the t test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test and χ² test. Results: All surgical procedures were successfully completed, without conversion to laparotomy or change in operation mode. There were no serious complications related to the operation. The intraoperative blood loss of the robot group was less than that of the laparoscopic group (M (IQR)): (20 (110) ml vs. 40 (80) ml, Z=-4.098, P<0.01). The operation time ((111.7±33.6) minutes vs. (120.4±35.0) minutes, t=-0.943, P=0.350) and hospitalization time ((3.9±1.4) days vs. (4.7±1.9) days, t=-1.980, P=0.053) of the robot group and the laparoscopic group were similar. Follow-up for 12 months after the operation showed no postoperative complications and recurrence. The score of the health-related quality of life questionnaire for gastroesophageal reflux disease in the robot group decreased from 10.8±2.8 before the operation to 6.5±0.6 after the operation, and that in the laparoscopic group decreased from 10.6±2.1 before the operation to 6.3±0.6 after the operation. There was no difference in the influence of different surgical methods on the change in score (t=0.030,P=0.976). Conclusion: Compared with laparoscopic repair of the hiatal hernia, robot-assisted hiatal hernia repair has the advantages of less bleeding, rapid postoperative recovery and good short-term effect.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Hernia, Hiatal/complications* ; Retrospective Studies ; Robotics ; Herniorrhaphy/methods* ; Quality of Life ; Laparoscopy/methods* ; Recurrence ; Fundoplication/methods*

The purpose of this research was to investigate functional studies by which the hiatal hernia (HH) may be relevant to a reflux esophagitis (RE). Group I consisted of healthy controls who were endoscopically normal (n = 21). Group II consisted of patients with hiatal hernia but no reflux esophagitis (n = 8). Group III had patients with hiatal hernia with reflux esophagitis (n = 9). Group IV had patients with reflux esophagitis but no hiatal hernia (n = 16). Esophageal manometry, ambulatory 24 hour intraesophageal pH monitoring, acid clearance test, and gastric emptying scan were performed in each of the patients. The contraction amplitude at 3 cm above the lower esophageal sphincter did not differ significantly among the four groups, but the mean lower esophageal sphincter pressure was significantly decreased in group II. The DeMeester score in ambulatory 24 hour intraesophageal pH monitoring was significantly higher in group III compared with the controls. No significant difference among the groups was found with respect to acid clearance. Total and proximal gastric emptying times (T1/2) were significantly delayed in group III. We found that hiatal hernia combined with delayed gastric emptying may bear a relationship to the multifactorial origins of reflux esophagitis, and we suggest a rationale for using prokinetic agents as the therapeutic regimen in patients with HH complicated by RE.
Adult ; Esophagitis, Peptic/*etiology/metabolism/physiopathology ; Esophagogastric Junction/physiopathology ; Esophagus/metabolism ; Female ; Hernia, Hiatal/*complications/physiopathology ; Human ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Male ; Manometry ; Pressure

OBJECTIVEThrough reviewing the surgical experience in the treatment of sliding hiatus hernia, the effectiveness of Nissen fundoplication using intraoperative oesophageal manometry has been evaluated.

METHODSThere were 84 undergoing the transabdominal surgery who have been divided into three groups: 27 patients were in the Nissen group, 39 in the floppy Nissen group, 18 in the intraoperative-oesophageal-manometry group.

RESULTSThere is no postoperative death. Complications occurred in 5 patients within one month after operation: in the Nissen group, 2 patients suffered from severe dysphagia and 1 from regurgitation; In the floppy Nissen group, 2 patients had regurgitation; In the intraoperative-oesophageal-manometry group, there were no one suffering severe dysphagia or regurgitation. During the long-term follow-up, excellent functional results were also observed in the intraoperative-oesophageal-manometry group, whereas 2 patients suffered from severe dysphagia and 1 from nausea in the Nissen group and 1 patient recurred in the floppy Nissen group.

CONCLUSIONSThe Nissen fundoplication (NF) should be suitable to be done in patients with sliding hiatus hernia. But if there are possibilities to perform intraoperative oesophageal manometry during the operation of anti-reflux, side effects can be decreased to the least. Intraoperative manometry is useful in standardizing the tightness of the wrap in NF. And it will contribute to reducing or avoiding the happening of complications.

Adult ; Aged ; Esophagus ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fundoplication ; Hernia, Hiatal ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Manometry ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Monitoring, Intraoperative ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the long-term outcomes of various antireflux procedures for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

METHODSBetween November 1988 and January 2004, 129 patients with GERD underwent antireflux procedures. Six kinds of antireflux procedures were performed including Nissen fundoplication, cardiac oblique invagination (COI) procedure, Belsey Mark IV, Toupet, Thal and Dor procedures. One hundred and sixteen patients were followed up. Esophageal manometry study was carried out in 95 patients preoperatively and 51 postoperatively. 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring were carried out in 56 patients preoperatively and 35 postoperatively. Esophagoscopy were performed in all patients before operation and 48 cases after operation.

RESULTSClinical symptom scores reduced significantly from 4.1 +/- 0.4 before surgery to 1.1 +/- 1.0 after surgery (t = 27.21, P < 0.01). The outcome of surgery showed excellent in 42 cases (36.2%), good in 60 (51.7%), fair in 7 (6.0%), poor in 7 (6.0%). The long-term follow-up showed excellent or good results in 87.9% of patients. There was no significant difference in Nissen fundoplication, COI procedure and Belsey Mark IV.

CONCLUSIONSThere are significant differences in symptom score, esophageal manometry, 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring and esophagoscopy pre- and post-operatively. There is no significant difference in Nissen fundoplication, COI procedure and Belsey Mark IV.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fundoplication ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; etiology ; surgery ; Hernia, Hiatal ; complications ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the effect and method of surgical treatment in patients with sliding esophageal hiatal hernia.

METHODSTo divide into two groups: fifty-two patients with sliding esophageal hiatal hernia diagnosed with gastroscopy and X-ray barium meal examination accepted operation. Forty-seven cases were treated by Nissen's operation. Three cases were treated by Hill's operation. One case was treated by Boerema's operation. One case was treated by Rampal's operation. 24-hour esophageal pH and esophageal motility were also monitored before and after operation. Thirty healthy volunteer were performed control group and were monitored by 24-hour esophageal pH and esophageal motility.

RESULTSThe patients in operation group had lower esophageal sphincter relaxation and acid reflux before operation. They became significantly ameliorative after operation. Forty-seven cases (90%) had the satisfactory effect. Two cases (4%) recrudesced.

CONCLUSIONComprehensive examination and perfect surgical choice may play an important role in the treatment of sliding esophageal hiatal hernia; The better method for sliding esophageal hiatal hernia is Nissen's operation.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fundoplication ; methods ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; etiology ; Hernia, Hiatal ; complications ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is caused by abnormal reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. GERD can be divided into two groups, erosive esophagitis and non-erosive reflux disease (NERD). The aim of this study was to compare the clinical characteristics of patients with erosive esophagitis to those with NERD. All participating patients underwent an upper endoscopy during a voluntary health check-up. The NERD group consisted of 500 subjects with classic GERD symptoms in the absence of esophageal mucosal injury during upper endoscopy. The erosive esophagitis group consisted of 292 subjects with superficial esophageal erosions with or without typical symptoms of GERD. Among GERD patients, male gender, high body mass index, high obesity degree, high waist-to-hip ratio, high triglycerides, alcohol intake, smoking and the presence of a hiatal hernia were positively related to the development of erosive esophagitis compared to NERD. In multivariated analysis, male gender, waist-to-hip ratio and the presence of a hiatal hernia were the significant risk factors of erosive esophagitis. We suggest that erosive esophagitis was more closely related to abdominal obesity.
Adult ; Alcohol Drinking ; Body Mass Index ; Esophagitis, Peptic/complications/*diagnosis ; Female ; Gastroesophageal Reflux/complications/*diagnosis ; Gastroscopy ; Hernia, Hiatal/complications ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity/complications ; Republic of Korea ; Risk Factors ; Sex Factors ; Smoking/adverse effects ; Triglycerides/blood ; Waist-Hip Ratio

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the features of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in elderly patients.

METHODS72 patients with GERD were investigated for the history of illness and the results of gastroscopy and 24 hours esophageal bile monitoring of 54 patients were simultaneously randomized to undergo ambulatory pH monitoring. The degrees of esophagitis were graded according to endoscopic findings.

RESULTSObesity was found in 48% of the elderly group (more than 65 years old) and 49% of the control group (less than 65 years old). There were longer acid and bile reflux time and higher frequency (65%) of hiatal hernia in the elderly, and more patients (35%) had complicated severe grade esophagitis. There were longer time of bile reflux and the higher incidence (76%) of both acid and bile reflux in elderly group than in control group (P < 0.05). But the acid reflux time (%) was similar in two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe GERD in elderly patients may be associated with obesity and hiatal hernia. The features of elderly GERD patients are high frequency of erosive esophagitis, and high frequency of both acid and bile reflux, as well as longer history of bile reflux time.

Age Factors ; Aged ; Bile Reflux ; complications ; Esophagitis, Peptic ; diagnosis ; Female ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Gastroscopy ; Hernia, Hiatal ; complications ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Monitoring, Ambulatory ; Obesity ; complications