Open versus Laparoscopic Hiatal Hernia Repair

Background:

The literature reports the efficacy of the laparoscopic approach to paraesophageal hiatal hernia repair. However, its adoption as the preferred surgical approach and the risks associated with paraesophageal hiatal hernia repair have not been reviewed in a large database.

Method:

The Nationwide Inpatient Sample dataset was queried from 1998 to 2005 for patients who underwent repair of a complicated (the entire stomach moves into the chest cavity) versus uncomplicated (only the upper part of the stomach protrudes into the chest) paraesophageal hiatal hernia via the laparoscopic, open abdominal, or open thoracic approach. A multivariate analysis was performed controlling for demographics and comorbidities while looking for independent risk factors for mortality.

Results:

In total, 23,514 patients met the inclusion criteria. By surgical approach, 55% of patients underwent open abdominal, 35% laparoscopic, and 10% open thoracic repairs. Length of stay was significantly reduced for all patients after laparoscopic repair (P < .001). Age ≥60 years and nonwhite ethnicity were associated with significantly higher odds of death. Laparoscopic repair and obesity were associated with lower odds of death in the uncomplicated group.

Conclusion:

Laparoscopic repair of paraesophageal hiatal hernia is associated with a lower mortality in the uncomplicated group. However, older age and Hispanic ethnicity increased the odds of death.     

腹腔镜手术治疗食管裂孔疝45例

目的探讨腹腔镜食管裂孔疝修补联合抗反流手术治疗食管裂孔疝的疗效。方法 2004年5月~2008年11月45例食管裂孔疝行腹腔镜食管裂孔疝修补联合抗反流手术。采用视觉模拟积分(visual analogue scales,VAS)评价术前及术后1、6、12个月胃食管反流症状,包括烧心、吞咽梗阻、反酸、胸痛、嗳气等。结果在缝合缩小食管裂孔的同时,行改良Nissen术9例,Toupet术10例,Dor术26例。无中转开腹。手术时间92~203min,平均118min。术后住院2~8d,平均2.7d。术后发生胃潴留3例,吞咽梗阻2例。术后随访1~48个月,平均21.5月,2例分别在术后1、12个月复发。胃食管反流综合症状VAS评分术前中位数5分(4~8分),术后1、6、12个月中位数均为1分,术前后比较均有统计学意义(P=0.000)。结论腹腔镜食管裂孔疝修补联合抗反流手术是治疗食管裂孔疝的有效方法 ,具有创伤小、恢复快的特点。     

腹腔镜食管裂孔疝修补术

目的探讨腹腔镜下应用补片(Bard CruraSoft PTFE/ePTFE Mesh)行食管裂孔疝修补和部分胃底折叠术治疗食管裂孔疝的临床效果。方法2006年8月~2007年4月,对13例食管裂孔疝(Ⅰ型6例,Ⅲ型7例)腹腔镜下用超声刀进行食管裂孔疝游离、腔内缝合器行补片固定完成食管裂孔疝修补术并同期行部分胃底折叠术。结果13例手术全部获得成功,无中转开腹手术。手术时间115~185min,平均142min;术中出血量25~120ml,平均75ml。术后平均32h(26~37h)排气并开始进流质饮食。术后住院3~6d,平均4d。13例术后随访4~11个月,平均6.5月,术后1个月临床症状完全消失,13例手术后3个月行钡餐造影检查未见疝复发。结论腹腔镜下应用补片行食管裂孔疝修补和部分胃底折叠手术是一种安全有效的微创方法,具有临床推广的价值。     

Laparoscopic Repair of Hiatal Hernia After Esophagectomy

Background

Herniation of abdominal contents via the diaphragmatic hiatus is a potentially life-threatening complication of esophagectomy. Mounting evidence suggests that hiatal hernias are more common following minimally invasive esophagectomy. Therefore, post-esophagectomy hiatal hernia and its treatment bear increasing significance.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the records of five patients with hiatal hernia following esophagectomy over a 5-year period.

Results

Successful laparoscopic reduction of a post-esophagectomy hiatal hernia was done without mesh reinforcement in three patients. One patient underwent mesh reinforcement. One patient was found to have carcinomatosis upon laparoscopic inspection, and repair of the hiatal hernia was abandoned. There were no perioperative deaths or complications. One patient developed a recurrent hiatal hernia 14 months after repair of the initial hiatal hernia. Patients were discharged within a mean of 1.75 days after surgical repair.

Discussion

We have successfully used laparoscopy to treat hiatal hernias after esophagectomy. The benefits conferred by laparoscopy, including better visualization of the right gastroepiploic artery supplying the gastric conduit, minimally invasive evaluation of the field for metastasis, and shorter recovery time, make it our favored approach. Here, we describe our experience with hiatal hernia following esophagectomy and our operative technique.     

Laparoscopic Gastric Banding and Crural Repair in the Obese Patient with a Hiatal Hernia

Background: A hiatal hernia is present in up to 50% of patients undergoing bariatric surgery. It has been claimed that laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) can both improve and induce reflux symptoms. The effect of a simultaneous crural repair and gastric banding has not yet been reported. Methods: Since 1999, all patients undergoing LAGB have a simultaneous crural repair if a hiatal hernia is present. Gastroesophageal reflux disease and dysphagia were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively using the modified DeMeester symptom-scoring system and the use of anti-reflux medication. Results: 62 patients with a hiatal hernia have undergone simultaneous LAGB and crural repair, with a median follow up of 14 (3-38) months. There was no mortality, and complications occurred in 3 patients, namely pulmonary embolus, slippage requiring repositioning of the band and persistent dysphagia requiring band removal. 24 months following LAGB and crural repair, median BMI had fallen from 43 to 31 kg/m² and median excess weight loss was 53%. Modified DeMeester symptom-score fell from a preoperative median of 3 (0-5) to a postoperative median of 0 (0-2) (P < 0.01, Mann Whitney U), and the number of patients on anti-reflux medication decreased from 44 to 6 (P < 0.01, Chi-squared). Conclusion: Crural repair in addition to LAGB does not increase the risk of slippage or dysphagia, significantly improves reflux symptoms and decreases the need for anti-reflux medication.     

Laparoscopic Hiatal Hernia Repair with Falciform Ligament Buttress

Background

Using synthetic mesh to buttress the crural repair during laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair may be associated with dysphagia and esophageal erosions, while a biologic mesh is expensive and does not decrease long-term recurrence rates. This study documents outcomes of laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repairs using the falciform ligament to reinforce the crural repair.

Methods

This is a prospective study of laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repairs with a falciform ligament buttress. Preoperatively and at 6 and 12 months postoperatively, medications, radiologic studies, and symptom severity and frequency scores were recorded. Patients with a hiatal defect greater than 5 cm were included, while patients with recurrent hiatal hernia repairs or prior gastric surgery were excluded. Symptom scores were compared pre- and postoperatively with a p?<?0.05 considered significant.

Results

One hundred four patients were included with a mean age of 62.4 years, and 57 patients underwent an upper gastrointestinal series at least 12 months from the initial operation with a mean follow-up of 20.6 months. The mean symptom severity score decreased from 14.32?±?0.93 to 4.75?±?0.97 (p?<?0.001), mean symptom frequency score decreased from 14.99?±?0.97 to 5.25?±?0.99 (p?<?0.001), and mean total symptom score decreased from 29.31?±?1.88 to 10.00?±?1.95 (p?<?0.001). Five patients developed recurrent hiatal hernias on upper gastrointestinal series, but only three required operative intervention.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair with a falciform ligament buttress is a viable option for a durable closure. Ongoing follow-up will continue to illuminate the value of this approach to decrease morbidity and recurrence rates for hiatal hernia repair.

     

腹腔镜下治疗食管裂孔疝55例报告

目的：探讨腹腔镜下治疗食管裂孔疝的可行性和有效性。方法2008年3月～2013年3月腹腔镜手术治疗55例食管裂孔疝,腹腔镜下完成食管裂孔疝的还纳及修补之后,进一步行胃底折叠术。结果55例均在腹腔镜下完成手术,在食管裂孔修补基础上辅以不同的胃底折叠术,其中Nissen胃底折叠术17例,Toupet 胃底折叠术19例,Dor胃底折叠术19例。3种术式的手术时间：Nissen术式（69．6±13．0）min,Toupet术式（68．0±8．2）min,Dor术式（63．8±10．1）min;3种术式的术中出血量：Nissen术式（20．0±5．8）ml,Toupet术式（20．6±9．5）ml,Dor术式（21．7±5．0）ml,无一例输血;3种术式的术后拔管时间：Nissen术式（3．1±1．1） d,Toupet术式（2．7±0．7） d,Dor术式（2．3±1．1） d;3种术式的术后住院时间：Nissen术式（9．1±4．9）d,Toupet术式（8．4±2．6）d,Dor术式（7．6±1．5）d。术后患者的临床症状均得到有效缓解,无围术期死亡,3例（5．4％）出现术后并发症,其中2例胃排空障碍,1例吞咽困难,治疗后均缓解。55例中位随访时间45个月（6～60个月）,口服钡餐造影或胃镜等检查无食管裂孔疝复发,无食管狭窄和食管憩室发生。结论腹腔镜下治疗食管裂孔疝安全有效,可根据病人的情况选择不同的胃底折叠术。     

Safe Esophageal Bougie Placement for Laparoscopic Hiatal Hernia Repair

The increased use of laparoscopy for treatment of reflux esophagitis has been associated with a 1-8% complication rate. Perforation of the esophagus from bougie placement, wrap breakdown or too tight a wrap are some of the complications seen from this surgery. An esophageal dilator system was developed to overcome these problems. Thirty patients had an esophageal dilator system used whereby a 48F or 58F dilator was placed over a 18F orogastric tube. Intraoperative gastroscopy documented a properly created wrap. There were no esophageal perforations or morbidity associated with the dilator.     

Laparoscopic Hiatal Hernia Repair in 221 Patients: Outcomes and Experience

Background and Objectives:

Hiatal hernia is a common condition often associated with symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The objectives of this study were to examine the efficacy and safety of laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair (LHHR) with biologic mesh to reduce and/or alleviate GERD symptoms and associated hiatal hernia recurrence.

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed consecutive LHHR procedures with biologic mesh performed by a single surgeon from July 2009 to October 2014. The primary efficacy outcome measures were relief from GERD symptoms, as measured according to the GERD–health-related quality-of-life (GERD-HRQL) scale and hiatal hernia recurrence. A secondary outcome measure was overall safety of the procedure.

Results:

A total of 221 patients underwent LHHR with biologic mesh during the study period, and pre- and postoperative GERD-HRQL studies were available for 172 of them. At baseline (preoperative), the mean GERD-HRQL score for all procedures was 18.5 ± 14.4. At follow-up (mean, 14.5 ± 11.0 months [range, 2.0–56.0]), the score showed a statistically significant decline to a mean of 4.4 ± 7.5 (P < .0001). To date, 8 patients (3.6%, 8/221) have had a documented anatomic hiatal hernia recurrence. However, a secondary hiatal hernia repair reoperation was necessary in only 1 patient. Most complications were minor (dysphagia, nausea and vomiting). However, there was 1 death caused by a hemorrhage that occurred 1 week after surgery.

Conclusions:

Laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair using biologic mesh, both with and without a simultaneous bariatric or antireflux procedure, is an efficacious and safe therapeutic option for management of hiatal hernia, prevention of recurrence, and relief of symptomatic GERD.     

Impact on Perioperative Outcomes of Concomitant Hiatal Hernia Repair with Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass

Background

The role of laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair (LHHR) at the time of laparoscopic Roux-en-y gastric bypass (LRYGB) is still debatable. This study aims to assess the safety of concomitant LHHR with LRYGB.

Methods

This study is a multi-center, retrospective analysis of a large administrative database. The University Health System Consortium (UHC) is a group of 112 academic medical centers and 256 of their affiliated hospitals. The UHC database was queried using International Classification of Diseases??9 codes and main outcome measures were analyzed.

Results

From October 2006 to January 2010, we found 33,717 patients who underwent LRYGB and did not have a hiatal hernia. In this same time period, 644 patients underwent concomitant LRYGB and LHHR, while 1,589 patients underwent LRYGB without repair of their hiatal hernias. On comparison of patients undergoing LRYGB with simultaneous LHHR with those who underwent LRYGB without a diagnosis of HH, there was no significant difference in mortality, morbidity, length of stay (LOS), 30-day readmission, or cost shown. On comparison of patients with HH who underwent LRYGB and simultaneous LHHR with those who had LRYGB without LHHR, no significant difference with regards to all the outcome measures was also shown.

Conclusions

In conclusion, concomitant hiatal hernia repair with LRYGB appears to be safe and feasible. These patients did not have any significant differences in morbidity, mortality, LOS, readmission rate, or cost. Randomized controlled studies should further look into the benefit of hiatal hernia repair in regards to reflux symptoms and weight loss for LRYGB patients.     

Hiatal Hernia Repair by Posterior Gastropexy1

Posterior gastropexy was used in the repair of seventy-seven hiatal hernias from 1070 to 1975, after the fashion of Lucius D. Hill, of Seattle. The operations were performed by one author and reviewed by the other. The rationale and technique of the operation are discussed. Ten patients were lost to follow-up. Fifty-six patients were greatly improved or cured, ten were improved but still had some symptoms, while only one was unimproved. We conclude that posterior gastropexy is an effective, simple, and safe operation for the treatment of reflux associated with hiatal hernia.     

Hiatal Hernia Repair in Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding and Laparoscopic Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass: A National Database Analysis

Hiatal hernia (HH) repairs are commonly done concomitantly with laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) to decrease gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). There is limited evidence about the additional surgical risk these combined procedures engender. We used the United States Nationwide Inpatient Sample 2004–2009 to compare mortality risk, prolonged length of stay (PLOS), and perioperative adverse events using propensity score-matched analysis. We repeated the analysis after removing patients diagnosed with GERD. There were 42,272 weighted patients undergoing LRYGB alone representing 206,559 discharges nationally and an additional 1,945 and 9,060, respectively, undergoing LRYGB?+?HH repair. For LAGB, there were 10,558 records representing 52,901 LAGB-only discharges and 1,959 representing 9,893 LAGB?+?HH repair discharges. Thirty-eight percent (95 % CI: 36, 41 %) of the patients in the LRYGB-only group had GERD compared to 55 % (51, 59 %) in the LRYGB?+?HH repair group. Among the LAGB groups, 31 % (28, 34 %) of LAGB-only patients had GERD compared to 44 % (38, 49 %) in the LAGB?+?HH repair group. We find that the average treatment effect on the treated (considering the concomitant procedure as treatment and the single procedure as control) for PLOS was ?0.12353 (?0.15909, ?0.08797) between the LRYGB groups and ?0.04353 (?0.07488, ?0.01217) for the LAGB groups. We find no evidence of increased risk of perioperative adverse events among patients undergoing concomitant HH repair with LRYGB or LAGB. Patients undergoing the combined procedure appear to be at lower risk of PLOS; this may be due to surgical training norms.     

Laparoscopic Paraesophageal Hernia Repair

Background and Objective:

Paraesophageal hernias are uncommon yet potentially lethal conditions. Their repair has now been facilitated by laparoscopic technology. We present a series of 20 patients with paraesophageal hernias repaired laparoscopically.

Methods:

Twenty patients with paraesophageal hernias had laparoscopic repairs. Eighteen patients had primary repair of their hiatal defect. Two required mesh reinforcement. Fifteen patients had a fundoplication procedure performed concomitantly.

Results:

Long-term follow-up is available on 17 patients. There was no in-hospital morbidity or mortality. Average length of stay was 2.3 days. One patient recurred in the immediate postoperative period. There were no other recurrences. The only death in the series occurred in the oldest patient 18 days postoperatively. He had been discharged from the hospital and died of cardiac failure. No patients have had complications from a paraesophageal hernia postoperatively.

Conclusion:

Laparoscopic repair of paraesophageal hernias is possible. Preoperative work-up should include motility evaluation to assess esophageal peristalsis as the majority of these will need a concomitant anti-reflux procedure. This data helps the surgeon to determine whether or not a complete or partial wrap should be done. Repair of the diaphragmatic defect can be accomplished in the majority of patients without the use of prosthetic material with excellent results.