Primary laparoscopic and open repair of paraesophageal hernias: a comparison of short-term outcomes

The choice of the optimal surgical approach for repairing paraesophaeal hernias (PEH) is debated. Our objective is to evaluate the short‐term outcomes of primary laparoscopic and open repairs of PEH performed in the Calgary Health Region. A retrospective review of all patients undergoing repair of PEH between October 1999 and February 2005 was performed. The outcome measures evaluated included intra‐operative parameters and post‐operative variables, mortality rates, recurrence rates and patient satisfaction. A total of 93 patients underwent either a laparoscopic (n = 46) or open (n = 47) primary PEH repair. The laparoscopic approach was associated with a longer mean operative time (3.1 ± 1.2 hours vs. 2.5 ± 0.7 hours, P = 0.005) but resulted in a shorter overall hospital stay (5 days [2–16 days]vs. 10 days [5–24 days]; P