Laparoscopic Hiatus Hernia Surgery
Types of Hiatus Hernia
About Laparoscopic Hiatus Hernia Surgery
A hiatus hernia is a protrusion of abdominal contents through the diaphragm where to oesophagus comes through to join the stomach.
Most commonly it is the stomach that is protruding up into the chest. Occasionally with very large hiatus hernia’s the stomach as well as other organs can protrude into the chest.
Surgery to repair hiatus hernias is usually performed laparoscopically or keyhole. This is performed via 5 small incisions in the abdomen. The contents of the hernia are reduced and the diaphragm is repaired with sutures. The stomach is usually wrapped around the oesophagus in what is termed a fundoplication.
Often people will go home the next day with a modified diet for 4 weeks.
Further information about Laparoscopic Hiatus Hernia Surgery
Do all hiatus hernias need to be repaired?
No, hiatus hernias are common and if they are causing no/minimal symptoms then they are often left alone.
Only when they are very large or are causing significant symptoms despite medical therapy (Proton pump inhibitor) would surgery be discussed.
What is the modified diet?
The surgery takes place around where the oesophagus meets the stomach and this area can become swollen in the post-operative period.
The risk is that in the initial period food can get stuck (Particularly meat and bread).
I usually recommend 2 weeks of a soups/smoothie diet followed by another 2 weeks of a moist/mince diet. Most people are back to eating normally after 4 weeks.
What are the types of hiatus hernia?
There are 4 types of hiatus hernia
type 1: sliding hiatal hernia (~95%)
type 2: paraesophageal hiatal hernia with the gastro-oesophageal junction in a normal position
type 3: mixed or compound type, paraesophageal hiatal hernia with displaced gastro-oesophageal junction
type 4: mixed or compound type hiatal hernia with additional herniation of other organs