Laparoscopic repair of esophageal hiatal hernia:with a report of 8 cases

Objective:To summarize the clinical experience of laparoscopic repair of esophageal hiatal hernia.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 8 cases of esophageal hiatal hernia treated by laparoscopic surgery from May 2004 to March 2009 in our hospital.There were 3 cases of type Ⅱ hernia,5 cases of type Ⅲ hernia (with mild gastroesophageal reflux in 2 cases,moderate or severe in 6 patients).Surgical procedures included hernia repair plus Toupet partial fundoplication in 4 cases and hernia repair plus Nissen total fundoplication in 4 cases (2 cases using special hernia mesh).Results:Eight cases of operations were successful,no conversion to open surgery occurred in this study.The operative time ranged 132-390min (mean 192min).Complications included 1 case of subcutaneous emphysema and 2 cases of transient dysphagia,all of which recovered by the conservative treatment.The symptoms markedly improved or disappeared completely.The postoperative hospital stay was 4-16 days(mean 10 days).All the patients were followed up for 10-26 months(mean 18 months).No recurrence was found.Conclusions:Laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of esophageal hiatal hernia has features of less trauma and quick restore,clinical results are satisfactory,it is worth being applied extensively.