Strangulated Bowel Obstruction Due to Hiatal Hernia After Laparoscopic Total Gastrectomy

Laparoscopic total gastrectomy results in more internal hernias than open surgery. However, there are few reports of incarcerated hiatal hernia after laparoscopic total gastrectomy. Here, we report a case of a 79-year-old male who underwent urgent surgical intervention for a strangulated intestinal obstruction due to an incarcerated hernia through the esophageal hiatus following laparoscopic total gastrectomy. In this case, an esophageal hiatal hernia was present before gastrectomy, but was not repaired. Additionally, the patient experienced significant weight loss after gastrectomy. Preoperative hiatal hernia and marked postoperative weight loss may pose risks.

Cardiopulmonary arrest secondary to compression of the heart owing to esophageal hiatal hernia: a case report

Background

Esophageal hiatal hernia is commonly encountered in clinical practice. We describe a case of cardiac compression caused by an esophageal hiatal hernia that resulted in circulatory failure and cardiac arrest.

Case Presentation

An 82-year-old woman presented to our hospital with vomiting, which progressed to cardiac arrest in the emergency room after computed tomography (CT) imaging. CT revealed gastric herniation into the mediastinum, with marked cardiac compression. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed, and a nasogastric tube was inserted for gastric decompression, which resulted in the return of spontaneous circulation and subsequent hemodynamic stabilization. However, the patient died of aspiration pneumonia 4 days later.

Conclusion

Gastric decompression can lead to rapid improvements in respiration and circulation in patients with an esophageal hiatal hernia. Nonetheless, to prevent complications, such as those observed in our patient, definitive surgical treatment is warranted.

Follow-Up Report of Laparoscopic Fundoplication in Different Types of Esophageal Hiatal Hernia in Children

Background: Esophageal hiatal hernia can be classified into four types. It has been reported that most complications occurred in type II-IV hernia patients compared with type I hernia. This study aimed to investigate and compare the efficacy, complications, and long-time outcomes after laparoscopic fundoplication between type I and type II-IV hernia patients. Materials and Methods: Medical records of 110 children who underwent laparoscopic fundoplication during 2008-2017 in our institution were retrospectively analyzed. Information of postoperative symptoms, complications, and quality of life (QOL) were compared between different types. Results: All 110 children underwent laparoscopic fundoplication, and none converted to open surgery. Type I and type II-IV each accounted for 50.9% and 42.8%. There was no significant difference in the perioperative data between type I and type II-IV esophageal hiatal hernia. The follow-up information of 81 children was obtained. The scores of postoperative symptoms were comparable between type I and type II-IV group, except the severity score of reflux symptom was higher in type I hernia patients (P = .032). The difference in the incidence of postoperative complications and recurrence after laparoscopic fundoplication between type I and type II-IV hernia was not significant. The QOL in three aspects improved significantly after laparoscopic fundoplication in all types of esophageal hiatal hernia. Conclusions: Laparoscopic fundoplication was an effective approach for all types of esophageal hiatal hernia. Type II-IV hernia could obtain a comparable therapeutic effect and long-time outcome compared with type I hernia despite its increased complexity of the anatomy and the required laparoscopic repair procedure.

Long-term outcome of laparoscopic Nissen-Rossetti fundoplication versus Thal fundoplication in children with esophageal hiatal hernia: a retrospective report from two children's medical centers in Shanghai

BACKGROUND

This study was undertaken to investigate the intraoperative and postoperative complications, efficacy and outcome of two laparoscopic fundoplications for the treatment of esophageal hiatal hernia in children.

METHODS

To find a rational procedure, we performed a retrospective analysis of 136 children with esophageal hiatal hernia who underwent laparoscopic Nissen-Rossetti or Thal fundoplication at two children's hospitals in Shanghai over 13 years. The median follow-up time of the children was 42 months (range: 1-138 months). Their age varied from 1 month to 11 years (median: 18.6 months).

RESULTS

All the children underwent laparoscopic fundoplications (72 cases of Nissen-Rossetti and 60 cases of Thal fundoplication) and 4 children converted to open surgery. The mean age of the children at the time of operation was 1.6±1.9 years, and the mean weight was 9.1±5.6 kg. Gastroesophageal reflux was significantly more severe after a Thal fundoplication (P=0.003) and slight esophageal stenosis was significant after a Nissen-Rossetti fundoplication (P=0.02). The recurrent rate of hiatal hernia was 2.8% (2/72) after Nissen-Rossetti fundoplication in contrast to 5% (3/60) after Thal fundoplication. No death occurred after surgery.

CONCLUSION

There was no statistical difference of recurrence between laparoscopic Nissen-Rossetti and Thal fundoplication in the long-term outcomes. The rate of slight dysphagia was higher in the Nissen-Rossetti group. The Thal group had a significantly higher recurrence rate of gastroesophageal reflux. There still exited learning curve for this procedure. The incidence rate of complications is significantly related to the proficiency of pediatric surgeon.

Artificial phrenoesophageal ligament. An experimental study in dogs

This report deals with the preparation of a 'true' artificial phrenoesophageal ligament aimed at restoring effective anchoring of the esophagus to the diaphragm, keeping the esophagogastric sphincter in the abdomen. A total of 24 mongrel dogs were assigned to four groups: (i) Group I (n = 4): the esophageal diaphragm hiatus left wide open; (ii) Group II (n = 8): the anterolateral esophagus walls were attached to the diaphragm by the artificial ligament and the esophageal hiatus was left wide opened; (iii) Group III (n = 5): in addition to the use of the artificial ligament, the esophageal hiatus was narrowed with two retroesophageal stitches; (iv) Group IV (n = 7): the only procedure was the esophageal hiatus narrowing with two retroesophageal stitches. The phrenoesophagogastric connections were released, sparing the vagus nerves. Five animals of groups III and IV, which did not develop hiatal hernia, were submitted to esophageal manometry immediately before and 15 days after surgery. In group I, all animals developed huge sliding hiatal hernias. In group II, two dogs (25%) had a paraesophageal hernia between the two parts of the artificial ligament. In group III, neither sliding hiatal hernia nor paraesophageal hernia occurred. In group IV, two animals (28.6%) developed sliding esophageal hiatus hernia. Regarding esophageal manometry, postoperative significant difference between groups III and IV (P = 0.008) was observed. Thus, the artificial phrenoesophageal ligament maintained the esophagus firmly attached to the diaphragm in all animals and the esophagogastric sphincter pressure was significantly higher in this group.