Incarcerated paraesophageal hernia. A surgical emergency

Incarcerated paraesophageal hernia

The case of an 80-year-old woman with an incarcerated paraesophageal hernia is presented. Among diaphragmatic hernias, the paraesophageal or type II hernia occurs with an incidence of 5%, sliding or type I hernia occurs with an incidence of 95%. Incarcerated paraesophageal hernia is a surgical emergency requiring rapid decompression and reduction to minimize catastropic consequences of hemorrhage, perforation, and visceral infarction. The clinical presentation and diagnostic workup of the patient with incarcerated type II diaphragmatic hernia are discussed.

Computed tomographic evaluation of paraesophageal hernia

Paraesophageal hernias are relatively rare compared to the more commonly diagnosed sliding hiatus hernia. They tend to be asymptomatic initially, but may gradually enlarge and present with life-threatening complications. The treatment is surgical reduction, preferably as an elective procedure. Computed tomography (CT) clearly demonstrates a paraesophageal hernia through a widened esophageal hiatus, often as an incidental finding, and accurately documents the size, contents, and orientation of the herniated stomach within the lower thoracic cavity. In this report, the CT appearance of 4 patients with paraesophageal hernias is described along with a discussion of this uncommon but important surgical condition.

An approach to the management of para-oesophageal hiatus hernias

A variety of conservative and surgical options are available in the management of para-oesophageal hiatus hernia. However opinion is divided in regard to the best form of treatment. A series of 71 patients with para-oesophageal hiatus hernia has been studied, to assess hospital management and outcome after treatment. Case notes of all patients were reviewed, and a questionnaire sent to surviving patients. Of those patients treated surgically with an anatomical repair plus a fundoplication, 19% had recurrence of significant symptoms. In contrast, 55% of patients managed by an anatomical repair alone had recurrence of significant symptoms. Conservative management was undertaken in 29 of the 71 patients and 66% had recurrence of significant symptoms, with 13 proceeding to elective surgery. Nevertheless, there is a place for the conservative management of para-oesophageal hernias are usually combined type hernias with associated reflux symptoms and repair of the hernia should include an antireflux procedure.

Incarcerated parahiatal hernia with gastric necrosis

A parahiatal diaphragmatic hernia developed five years after transthoracic Heller myotomy. Failure to recognize this complication resulted in strangulation and necrosis of the gastric fundus. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a postoperative parahiatal hernia that did not follow the use of a diaphragmatic counterincision. Prompt recognition of this complication will prevent unnecessary morbidity and mortality.

Effect of paraesophageal hernia on sphincter function and its implication on surgical therapy

Fifteen patients with a paraesophageal hernia were studied with 24 hour esophageal pH monitoring and esophageal manometry to clarify the physiologic aspects of the cardia and resolve controversies over the type of surgical repair. The results were compared with those obtained in 34 randomly selected patients with a sliding hernia and 18 normal control subjects. Sixty percent of the patients with a paraesophageal hernia had an incompetent cardia on 24 hour pH studies which was associated with a lower esophageal sphincter of normal pressure, short overall length, and a small segment exposed to abdominal pressure. In comparison, 70 percent of patients with a sliding hernia had an incompetent cardia which was associated with a lower esophageal sphincter of low pressure, normal overall length, and a short segment exposed to abdominal pressure. With either type of hernia, symptoms were not helpful in determining the competency of the cardia. When urgent surgery is necessary, repair should include an antireflux procedure. If facilities and time permit, more specific evaluation of the cardia can be performed, and if competent, the repair should be limited to reduction of the stomach and closure of the defect.

Massive hiatal hernia with incarceration: a report of 53 cases

Between 1960 and 1980, 53 patients with massive incarcerated hiatal hernia were treated surgically. In 24 of the 53 patients, there was an associated organoaxial volvulus. The following symptoms and signs, which are almost peculiar to massive, incarcerated hernias, were observed: postprandial precordial distress in 43 patients, upper gastrointestinal bleeding (manifest or occult) in 24 patients, severe dyspnea in 13 patients, and complete obstruction associated with organoaxial volvulus in 4. In only 1 of the 53 patients was the hernia of the true paraesophageal type with the esophagogastric junction remaining in its normal, intraabdominal location. The remainder were all believed to be advanced stages of an ordinary sliding hiatal hernia. Operative treatment consisted of gastroplasty and partial fundoplication in 36 patients, standard Belsey repair in 14, and transabdominal Nissen repair in 3. Gastroplasty and partial fundoplication were used much more frequently during the 1970s, when it was realized that there is a significant incidence of chronic peptic esophagitis and shortening in these patients. Postoperative complications were few in spite of the advanced age of many of the patients. There was one operative death. Only 1 patient was lost to follow-up, and of the 51 patients remaining for analysis, follow-up has extended from 1 to 16 years, with a mean of 6.2 years. No patient has developed recurrent precordial pain, evidence of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, iron deficiency anemia, or severe dyspnea. Seven patients have residual dysphagia; this condition is minimal in 5, and is significant in 2 who require interval esophageal dilation. Nine patients have symptomatic reflux, which is minimal in 5 patients, moderate in 2 patients, and severe in 2 others who were subsequently reoperated on. Contrary to popular concept, our observations indicate that almost all of these patients represent advanced degrees of sliding hiatal hernia with intrathoracic displacement of the esophagogastric junction. This implies a need for an adequate antireflux reconstruction in all patients undergoing operation, as well as an awareness that unanticipated cicatricial changes may be present in the distal esophagus and may prejudice the success of some of the standard hiatal repairs.

Hiatal hernia complicated by gastric ulceration and perforation

The incidence of gastric ulcer in hiatal hernia is highest in para-esophageal hernia and in chronic incarcerated hernia in older patients. Two patients with chronic incarcerated sliding hernias complicated by unrecognized gastric ulceration and perforation are described. One patient developed a subhepatic and mediastinal abscess; the other developed a gastropleural fistula. The incidence, clinical and roentgen findings, complications, and treatment of gastric ulcers in hiatal hernia are discussed.

Paraesophageal hernia harboring a gastric carcinoma

A unique occurrence of gastric carcinoma within a paraesophageal hernia is reported. The radiologist must carefully examine the distorted gastric anatomy to look for a second lesion.