The Optimal Approach to Symptomatic Paraesophageal Hernia Repair: Important Technical Considerations

While the asymptomatic paraesophageal hernia (PEH) can be observed safely, surgery is indicated for symptomatic hernias. Laparoscopic repair is associated with decreased morbidity and mortality; however, it is associated with a higher rate of radiologic recurrence when compared with the open approach. Though a majority of patients experience good symptomatic relief from laparoscopic repair, strict adherence to good technique is critical to minimize recurrence. The fundamental steps of laparoscopic PEH repair include adequate mediastinal mobilization of the esophagus, tension-free approximation of the diaphragmatic crura, and gastric fundoplication. Collis gastroplasty, mesh reinforcement, use of relaxing incisions, and anterior gastropexy are just a few adjuncts to basic principles that can be utilized and have been widely studied in recent years. In this article, we present a comprehensive review of literature addressing key aspects and controversies regarding the optimal approach to repairing paraesophageal hernias laparoscopically.     

腹腔镜手术治疗食管裂孔疝合并缺铁性贫血26例临床报告

目的评价食管裂孔疝合并缺铁性贫血患者腹腔镜下修补食管裂孔疝后纠正贫血效果。 方法回顾性分析2006年6月至2014年2月,新疆维吾尔自治区人民医院26例食管裂孔疝合并缺铁性贫血患者,施行腹腔镜下食管裂孔疝修补手术前、后血红蛋白变化的临床资料,并根据术后定期随访复查血常规结果,了解贫血纠正情况。 结果26例食管裂孔疝合并缺铁性贫血患者均施行食管裂孔疝修补术,无中转开腹,术后1、3、6、12个月门诊随访复查血常规,26例患者贫血均有明显改善,其手术前、后血红蛋白含量分别为(82.73±14.04)g/L,(120.88±8.94)g/L,2组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。 结论食管裂孔疝是缺铁性贫血的病因之一,腹腔镜下食管裂孔疝修补术可有效地治疗食管裂孔疝合并缺铁性贫血。     

Outcomes of surgical treatment of intrathoracic stomach

The purpose of this study is to assess the long-term outcomes after surgical repair of intrathoracic stomach. Prospectively collected data was retrospectively reviewed. Patients underwent a phone questionnaire 1 year postoperatively to assess gastroesophageal reflux disease-related symptoms and surgical satisfaction. In addition, objective evaluation for integrity of hiatal hernia repair was undertaken either by esophagram or endoscopy. Any recurrence was considered a failure. Forty-one patients underwent surgical repair of a large paraesophageal hernia with intrathoracic stomach during the study period. Thirty-four patients underwent a laparoscopic repair, and seven patients underwent a transthoracic repair. An antireflux procedure was performed on 28 patients, and 13 patients had only hernia reduction and hiatal closure. In the laparoscopic group, two patients required conversion to open laparotomy, as one was unable to tolerate the pneumoperitoneum, and the other had mediastinal bleeding. Thirty-eight (93%) were available for 1-year follow-up. There were three (7.8%) recurrences, one requiring emergency transabdominal repair, and the other two being asymptomatic 1-cm recurrences. All patients report a high degree of satisfaction with surgery. There is a high incidence of short esophagus in patients with intrathoracic stomach. The surgical repair is safe and durable, with high patient satisfaction at 1-year follow-up.     

Simple suture or prosthesis hiatal closure in laparoscopic repair of paraesophageal hernia: a retrospective cohort study

Laparoscopic repair of paraesophageal hernia (PEH) involves removal of the hernia sac, cruroplasty, and fundoplication. Mesh application to cruroplasty seems to reduce hernia recurrence rate, but may be associated with dysphagia. The aim of the study was to review the clinical and laboratory outcomes of a series of patients with PEH after laparoscopic repair. Patients with PEH, who had laparoscopic repair and 1‐year postoperative follow‐up, were included in the study. Pre‐ and postoperative testing included symptom questionnaires, barium esophagogram, pH‐monitoring, barium swallow testing. In the first half cases, suturing of large hernia gaps was reinforced with prosthesis (PR), whereas in the second half only suture cruroplasty (SC) was performed. Sixty‐eight patients (36 male) with PEH were included in the study. There were no conversions to open. Postoperatively, dysphagia grading was significantly correlated to esophageal transit time (P < 0.001). There were seven recurrences; one paraesophageal and six wrap migrations. Also, four cases with stenosis were identified all in the PR group. Dysphagia was more common (P= 0.05) and esophageal transit more delayed (P= 0.034) after PR than after SC. Two revisions, one for esophageal stenosis and one for recurrent PEH, derived from the SC group. Reflux was more common after Toupet fundoplication than after Nissen fundoplication (NF) (P= 0.031) in patients with impaired esophageal motility. Laparoscopic repair of PEH with SC is associated with satisfactory clinical outcomes and low rate of wrap migration, at least similar to PR hiatal repair. NF is effective as an antireflux procedure in all cases.     

3D腹腔镜食管裂孔疝修补术八例治疗体会

目的探讨3D高清腹腔镜在食管裂孔疝修补术中的临床应用价值。 方法对徐州医学院附属淮安医院2014年11月至2015年2月,行3D腹腔镜食管裂孔疝修补术8例患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析,其中3例予以单纯缝合,5例使用补片。 结果8例均顺利进行3D腹腔镜下食管裂孔疝修补手术,无中转及死亡病例,平均手术时间为(110±18)min,平均出血量为(28±13)ml,恢复流质饮食时间为(2.0±0.3)d,平均住院时间为(8.9±2.5)d,无严重术后并发症的发生,术后1个月临床症状完全消失,未出现疝复发。 结论3D高清腹腔镜能实现精细化操作,使用3D腹腔镜行食管裂孔疝修补手术更方便,手术质量更高,并发症更少,并取得良好的近期疗效。     

Mediastinal Seroma Post Laparoscopic Repair of Type IV Paraesophageal Hernia

Laparoscopic repair of paraesophageal hernia is safe and feasible and can provide comparable results for patients with type IV paraesophageal hernia. We report a rare case of mediastinal seroma in an 80-year-old gentleman who had a giant type IV paraesophageal hernia and was eventually admitted to our hospital for elective laparoscopic repair and recovered very well after surgery with resolution of the atelectatic lungs and air-fluid collection in his chest.     

Laparoscopic surgery for reflux esophagitis and paraesophageal hernia.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic surgery has become the standard for treatment of several abdominal diseases. We analyzed our data on laparoscopic treatment of reflux esophagitis and paraesophageal hernia. METHODS: Twenty patients (mean age 61 y; 14 men) - 18 with reflux esophagitis and sliding hiatus hernia, and two with paraesophageal and sliding hernia - were operated on using laparoscopy between March 1999 and March 2001. All patients were investigated by upper GI endoscopy, barium study and routine pre-operative work-up. Nineteen patients underwent a modified Nissen fundal wrap along with repair of the diaphragmatic crura; one patient had only crural repair with no fundal wrap. RESULTS: All procedures were completed laparoscopically. The mean operating time was 140 min (range 90 to 240). Eighteen patients were discharged on the third postoperative day and two on the fifth day. One patient had perforation of intrathoracic part of the esophagus during passage of an esophageal bougie; he presented with empyema 10 days after discharge and was treated by intercostal drainage. There were no other complications. All patients have been followed up on an outpatient basis for 3 months to 2 years. All are presently off acid-suppressive therapy. Seventeen patients are free of symptoms; two patients have gas bloat-like symptoms and one has occasional grade I dysphagia. CONCLUSIONS: Laparosopic surgery is a safe and effective method of treating esophagitis and paraesophageal hernia.     

腹腔镜下应用补片治疗食管裂孔疝3例

目的:探讨腹腔镜下应用补片修补食管裂孔疝的临床价值.方法:2007-07/2008-05我科行腹腔镜联合补片术治疗食管裂孔疝患者3例. 分析患者手术时间、术中失血量以及术后并发症, 并随访6-12mo.结果:3例患者手术顺利, 无中转开腹或开胸,手术时间分别为155、120、130 min, 术中失血量分别为50、50、70 mL, 3例患者术后第2天排气并进流质饮食, 术后第7天出院, 术后3 mo内3例患者临床症状完全消失, 随访6-12mo, 无复发病例.结论:腹腔镜下应用补片治疗食管裂孔疝临床疗效显著, 值得推广应用.     

Symptomatic and radiological follow-up after para-esophageal hernia repair

SUMMARY The treatment of para‐esophageal hernia by the laparoscopic approach has been described by a number of authors. The lower morbidity of the laparoscopic approach compared with the open approach holds some attraction, however, reservations regarding the durability of laparoscopic repair exist. There is a paucity of objective follow‐up data in the literature with regard to repair durability and symptomatic outcome. A review was undertaken of 94 patients over a 7 year period undergoing attempted laparoscopic repairs of para‐esophageal hernia. Preoperative and operative data was collected and patients underwent postoperative interview and barium meal. Laparoscopic repair was successfully completed in 86 patients. Symptomatic reherniation occurred in 12% (10/86) of patients undergoing laparoscopic repair. These patients underwent open reoperative surgery. There were no symptomatic recurrences in patients undergoing initial open repair. Symptomatic outcome was assessed by interview in 78% (73/94) of patients at a median of 27 months (3–93 months) postoperatively. Ninety‐seven percent (71/73) of patients were satisfied with their ultimate symptomatic outcome however, this group included seven patients who had required reoperative surgery for symptomatic recurrence and were therefore laparoscopic failures. In order to determine the asymptomatic recurrence rate patients were requested to undergo a barium meal. A further nine small asymptomatic recurrences were diagnosed in 42 patients having had laparoscopic repair. This represents an asymptomatic radiographic recurrence rate of 21%. Laparoscopic repair in this series was associated with a 12% symptomatic recurrence rate. The majority of patients with symptomatic recurrence underwent open reoperation with good results. Strategies for reducing recurrences should be examined in prospective series.     

Paraesophageal hiatus hernia,which has progressed for 8 years: report of a case

We report a case of a paraesophageal hernia, which was successfully treated with laparoscopic surgery after a natural history of eight years. Eight years before surgery only the fundus of the stomach was included in the hernia sac. At surgery, although the gastroesophageal junction and fundus were found in their normal positions, the distal half of the stomach and the omentum were pulled into the thorax, which demonstrated an organoaxial gastric volvulus. As the omentum tightly adhered to the top of the hernia sac and there was no tight adhesion between the stomach and hernia sac, the omentum could serve as the lead point for the gastric volvulus. This patient was successfully treated with laparoscopic surgery and is presently in good condition without any recurrence of the hernia.     

Paraesophageal hernia

Opinion statement The definitive management of paraesophageal hernia is surgical repair. The current standard of care is the laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair in patients who are medically fit for general anesthesia and operation. When patients are considered for operative repair, they should undergo diagnostic testing, including upper endoscopy, upper gastrointestinal series, and esophageal manometry.     

儿童开腹与腹腔镜食管裂孔疝修补＋胃底折叠术的疗效比较

目的比较儿童开腹与腹腔镜食管裂孔疝（HH）修补+胃底折叠术的疗效及安全性。 方法回顾性分析2008年1月至2018年1月新疆维吾尔自治区人民医院收治的经上消化道造影检查诊断为HH的42例患儿。其中20例行开腹HH修补＋胃底折叠术（开腹手术组）,22例行腹腔镜HH修补＋胃底折叠术（腹腔镜手术组）。记录并比较2组患儿的切口长度、手术时间、术中出血量、术后进食时间、术后住院时间,同时观察2组患儿术后疼痛及并发症发生情况,并比较2组患儿术后并发症发生率。 结果腹腔镜手术组患儿切口长度短于开腹手术组患儿［（2.2±0.3）cm vs （7.5±1.1）cm］,且差异有统计学意义（t=20.833,P<0.05）;但2组患儿手术时间、术中出血量差异均无统计学意义［（115.4± 20.5）min vs （104.2±18.6）min,（2.9±0.3）ml vs （3.1±0.5）ml,t=1.552、1.857,P均>0.05］。腹腔镜手术组患儿术后进食时间、术后住院时间均短于开腹手术组患儿［（1.3±0.3）d vs （2.2±0.4）d,（5.2±1.6）d vs （9.3±1.1）d］,且差异均有统计学意义（t=8.182、9.753,P均<0.05）。2组患儿术后并发症发生率差异无统计学意义［9.1% （2/22）vs 5.0% （1/20）,χ²=0.264,P>0.05］。开腹与腹腔镜HH修补＋胃底折叠术均为小儿HH安全、有效的治疗方法。与开腹手术比较,腹腔镜手术术后禁食时间短,术后恢复快,更美观。     

Anemia and Iron Deficiency in Heart Failure

Anemia is a common comorbidity in heart failure (HF), and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. However, it remains unclear whether anemia is merely a marker of poor prognosis or whether anemia itself confers risk. The pathogenesis of anemia in HF is multifactorial. Iron deficiency also confers risk in HF, either with or without associated anemia, and treatment of iron deficiency improves the functional status of patients with HF. An ongoing large clinical trial studying the use of darbepoetin?Calfa in patients with anemia and systolic HF is expected to provide information that should improve our understanding of anemia in HF.     

Laparoscopic versus open inguinal hernia repair in octogenarians: A follow‐up study

Aim: The elderly population is the fastest growing demographic in developed countries. It is thus imperative to assess common medical procedures in this age group. Inguinal hernia repair is a commonly carried out operation in the USA with two methods of repair existing – laparoscopic and open. Although the advantages of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in the general population have been shown, its role in the elderly has yet to be elucidated. Methods: A retrospective medical record review with prospective follow up of 115 patients aged over 80 years who underwent either open or laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair was carried out. Outcome measures included postoperative pain score, recovery time, chronic pain, wound infection, urinary retention, urinary tract infection, hematoma and recurrence. Patient satisfaction was measured with the Likert score. Results: Of the 115 repairs, 31 repairs were carried out laparoscopically and 84 open. Mean patient age was 83.3 years (range 80–95 years), with no difference in demographics or comorbidities between the two groups. Mean recovery time was significantly shorter in the laparoscopic group (7.5 vs 23.1 days, P = 0.02), as was the mean duration of pain in the laparoscopic group (1.4 vs 9.6 days, P = 0.04). There were no significant differences in other outcomes. There was a trend towards increased patient satisfaction in the laparoscopic group (P = 0.10). Conclusion: In octogenarians, laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair confers a significantly shorter duration of pain and recovery time as compared with open inguinal hernia repair, with no increase in complications. For elderly patients, laparoscopy is a viable alternative to open repair. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 329–333 .     

Clinical Conundrum: Killian-Jamieson Diverticulum with Paraesophageal Hernia

Killian-Jamieson diverticulum is a outpouching of the lateral cervical esophageal wall adjacent to the insertion of the recurrent laryngeal to the larynx and is much less common in clinical practice than Zenkers Diverticulum. Surgical management of Killian-Jamieson diverticulum requires open transcervical diverticulectomy due to the proximity of the recurrent laryngeal nerve to the base of the pouch. We present a case of a Killian-Jamieson diverticulum associated with a concurrent large type III paraesophageal hernia causing significant solid-food dysphagia, post-prandial regurgitation of solid foods, and chronic cough managed with open transcervical diverticulectomy and laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair with Nissen fundoplication.     

Analysis of causes of development of anemia in patients with chronic heart failure

High prevalence of anemia and its direct relation with morbidity and mortality in congestive heart failure (CHF) has been shown in numerous studies. Among etiology factors of anemia are hemodilution, chronic kidney insufficiency, deficiency of iron, folate, and vitamin 12, high level of inflammatory cytokines. Aims of this study were elucidation of causes of anemia in patients with CHF and assessment of dependence of prognosis of these patients on etiology of anemia. We examined 317 patients hospitalized with diagnosis of NYHA class II-IVCHF and anemia (129, [40.7%] men and 188 [59.3%] women, mean age 74.4+/-1.75 years, duration of CHF 4.4+/-0.2 years; 46, 42, 12% with NYHA class IV, III and II, respectively). Causes of anemia were chronic kidney insufficiency, iron deficiency, vitamin B12-deficiency, hemodilution, and chronic diseases. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) below 50 ml/min was found in 27 patients (8.5%), deficiency of iron with lowered ferritin concentration and/or saturation of transferrin was revealed in 104 (32.8 %), vitamin B12-deficiency in 4 (1.3%), hemodilution in 40 (12.6%) patients. In 142 patients (44.8%) anemia was associated with chronic diseases. Hospital mortality in the whole group was 18.3%. Death rates in patients with hemodilution, chronic kidney insufficiency, vitamin B12-deficiency, anemia due to chronic diseases, and iron deficiency anemia were 32.5, 25.9, 25, 16.2 and 13.5%.     

LAPAROSCOPIC COMPOSITE‐MESH REPAIR OF AN ADULT MORGAGNI HERNIA

Congenital Morgagni hernia is a rare clinical condition. We present a 72‐year‐old man with epigastric discomfort and hematemesis who was diagnosed with hernia of Morgagni with an incarceration of the stomach and colon. The patient was treated electively by laparoscopic composite‐mesh repair without excising the hernial sac or approximating the edges of the defect, which was 10 × 6 cm in diameter. He was discharged on the seventh postoperative day without any complications. At a 1‐year follow‐up examination he had no recurrence nor clinical symptoms, although the large hernial sac contained fluid. Laparoscopic composite‐mesh repair is a less‐invasive and tension‐free method for Morgagni hernia that results in an excellent clinical outcome.     

Systematic review of open techniques for parastomal hernia repair

Parastomal hernia formation is common following formation of an abdominal stoma, with the risk of subsequent incarceration, obstruction and strangulation. Current treatment options include non-operative management, stoma relocation and fascial repair with or without mesh. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of open mesh repair of a parastomal hernia and to compare open non-mesh fascial repair with mesh techniques of parastomal hernia repair. Electronic databases were searched for studies comparing the two surgical techniques in accordance with preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The primary outcome of the study was the comparison of recurrence rates of parastomal hernia for each technique. Secondary outcomes included comparison of mortality, wound infection, mesh infection and any other complication. Twenty-seven studies of parastomal hernia repair were included and divided into two subgroups for open mesh repair and non-mesh fascial repair. Non-mesh fascial repair resulted in a high recurrence rate (around 50 %). Reported recurrence rates for mesh repair were substantially lower, at 7.9–14.8 %, depending on the position of the mesh in relation to the abdominal fascia and the length of follow-up. Morbidity and mortality did not differ significantly between the techniques used to repair a parastomal hernia. This study shows that mesh repair of a parastomal hernia is safe and significantly reduces the rate of recurrence compared with sutured repair, which should only be used in exceptional circumstances. There is insufficient evidence to determine which mesh technique (onlay, sublay or underlay) is most successful in terms of recurrence rates and morbidity.     

Experience with Laparoscopic Repair of a Strangulated Obturator Hernia: Report of a Case

Laparoscopic hernia repair and resection of the small bowel were performed in a 78‐year‐old woman with a strangulated obturator hernia. The hernia orifice was closed primarily by intracorporeal interrupted sutures, as a result of caution to prevent infection with mesh. To minimize the size of the skin incision, the intestinal resection and entero‐anastomosis were performed intracorporeally. The postoperative recovery was uneventful. We consider that laparoscopic obturator hernia repair with intracorporeal bowel resection and anastomosis should be considered as a method of choice in some cases, in order to minimize the risk of morbidity and mortality.