[Hiatus hernia : Standards and controversies in diagnostics and treatment]

Mesh vs. non-mesh repair of type I hiatal hernias: a propensity-score matching analysis of 6533 patients from the Herniamed registry

INTRODUCTION

Surgical treatment of type I hiatal sliding hernias aims to control the gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and prevention of hernia recurrence. Usually, a cruroplasty is performed to narrow the hiatal orifice. Here, it remains controversial if a mesh reinforcement of the cruroplasty should be performed, since benefits as well as mesh-associated complications have been described.

METHODS

We performed a propensity-score matching analysis with data derived from the Herniamed registry comparing patients undergoing laparoscopic type I hiatal hernia repair with and without synthetic mesh. We analyzed perioperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data including data derived from the 1-year follow-up in the registry.

RESULTS

6.533 patients with an axial, type I hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux are included in this analysis. Mesh augmentation of the hiatoplasty was performed in n = 1.252/6.533 (19.2%) of patients. The defect size in the subgroup of patients with mesh augmentation was with mean 16.3 cm2 [14.5; 18.2] significantly larger as in the subgroups without mesh augmentation with 10.8 cm2 [8.7; 12.9]; (p < 0.001). In patients with mesh hiatoplasty n = 479 (38.3%) Nissen and n = 773 (61.7%) Toupet fundoplications are performed. 1.207 matched pairs could be analyzed. The mean defect size after matching was with 15.9 cm2 comparable in both groups. A significant association was seen regarding recurrence (4.72% mesh vs. 7.29% non-mesh hiatoplasty, p = 0.012). The same relation can be seen for pain on exertion (8.78% vs 12.10%; p = 0.014) and pain requiring treatment (6.13% vs 9.11%; p = 0.010). All other outcome parameter showed no significant correlation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data demonstrate that mesh-reinforced laparoscopic type I hiatal hernia repair in larger defects is associated with significantly lower rates for recurrence, pain on exertion and pain requiring treatment.

OUP accepted manuscript

Hiatus hernia is defined as a trans-diaphragmatic protrusion of the intra-abdominal contents through the oesophageal hiatus into the mediastinum. Surgical repair is indicated in symptomatic patients, with some patients presenting emergently with strangulation and ischaemia of hernial contents. In this situation, emergent decompression and surgical repair is indicated. Although it has been suggested previously that kyphoscoliosis may contribute to development and progression of hiatus hernia, there are no published reports of obstruction being caused by severe spinal deformity. A 67-year-old male patient with spina bifida and severe scoliosis who presented with an obstructed hiatus hernia is discussed here. Because of his obstruction, laparoscopic hiatus hernia repair and fundoplication was undertaken. The patient had an uncomplicated recovery following this. This case highlights the importance of providing definitive management to patients with difficult anatomy, which has caused their obstruction, as conservative management is unlikely to lead to an optimal outcome.

Challenges in the Surgical Correction of Hiatal Hernias and Ways to Overcome Them

More than a thousand laparoscopic fundoplication operations for hiatal hernia (HH) have been performed at the Clinic of the Bashkir State Medical University over the period between 2000 and 2019 and the results of surgical treatment of 502 patients were analyzed. Our research results indicate that routine instrumental methods used in hiatal hernia diagnosis provide valuable information, however only their combined application allows us to establish the correct diagnosis in all patients. Authors propose a new original X-ray balloon method that allows to improve the quality of diagnosis of hiatal hernia significantly. Balloon X-ray allows us to establish the true dimensions of the hiatus and select the most appropriate treatment accordingly. Isolated fundoplication without plastic of esophageal opening was performed in 180 patients. Surgical correction of the hiatus was performed on 322 patients. Diaphragmcrouroraphy was carried out in 199 cases, in 123 cases mesh implants were used to support the crus of the diaphragm. In 215 cases, simultaneous surgical procedures were performed to treat multiple abdominal pathology. We studied the changes in quality of life of 100 patients with hiatal hernia before and after laparoscopic esophagofundoplication by comparing the results of the survey (questionnaires) and medical examination of the cardiac sphincter of the esophagus function. The vast majority of patients demonstrated a significant improvement in the cardiac closure function, a decrease in the frequency and severity of gastroesophageal reflux, and reduced signs of reflux esophagitis.

Morgagni-Larrey diaphragmatic hernia repair in adult patients: a retrospective single-center experience

Purpose

Morgagni−Larrey congenital diaphragmatic hernia (MLH) is rare in adult patients and surgery is performed infrequently. The evidence regarding the most beneficial treatment modality is low. Nevertheless, with increasing experience in minimally-invasive surgery, the literature proves the laparoscopic approach as being safely feasible. However, knowledge on the disease as well as treatment options are based on single surgeon’s experiences and small case series in the literature.

Methods

Retrospective single-center analysis on adult patients (≥ 18 years) with MLH from 01/2003 to 06/2019 regarding symptoms, hernia sac contents, surgical technique and perioperative outcome.

Results

4.0% of diaphragmatic hernia repair procedures were performed for MLH (n = 11 patients). 27.3% of these patients were asymptomatic. Dyspnea or gastrointestinal symptoms were frequently observed (both in 45.5% of the patients). Colon transversum (63.6%), omentum majus (45.5%) and/or stomach (27.3%) were the most common hernia sac contents. Correct diagnosis was achieved preoperatively in 10/11 patients by cross-sectional imaging. All procedures were performed by trans-abdominal surgery (laparotomy in four and laparoscopy in seven patients). All hernias were reinforced by mesh after primary closure. No differences were observed in the perioperative outcome between patients who underwent hernia repair by laparotomy versus laparoscopy. Pleural complications requiring drainage were the most common postoperative complications.

Conclusion

MLH repair seems to be safely feasible by laparoscopic surgery. The benefit of mesh augmentation in MLH repair is not clear yet. In contrast to the current literature, all patients in this study received mesh augmentation after primary closure of the hernia. This should be evaluated in larger patient cohorts with long-term follow-up.