Laparoscopic approach in large hiatal hernia--particular considerations

Large hiatal hernia are associated with permanent or intermittent protrusion of more than 1/3 of the stomach into the chest, single or in associated with other organs, a hiatal defect greater than 5 cm and various complications related to the morphological and physiological modifications. While the laparoscopic approach in small hiatal hernia and gastro-esophageal reflux disease is a standard procedure in large hiatal hernia persists a number of questions and controversies. Between 1995 and 2002 a number of 23 patients with large hiatal hernia (9 men, 14 women), mean age 65.8 years (range 49 to 77) underwent laparoscopic surgery. The majority of the patients had complications of the disease (dysphagia, severe esophagitis, anemia, respiratory and cardiac failure). In 16 cases was a sliding hernia (one recurrent after open procedure), in 2 paraesophageal and in 5 a mixed hernia (two "upside-down" type). In 7 cases we perform, in the same operation, cholecystectomy for gallbladder stones and in one cases Heller myotomy for achalasia. In all cases the repairs was performed by using interrupted stitches to approximate the crurae, but in three of them (recurrent and upside down hernia) we consider necessary to repair with a polypropylene mesh (10 x 5 cm) with a "keyhole" for the esophagus. In these particular cases we do not perform a antireflux procedure, in others 20 cases a short floppy Nissen was done. During the operation one patient developed a left pneumothorax and required pleural drainage. Postoperatively one patient had dysphagia treated by pneumatic dilatation and another die 3 weeks after the surgery because severe respiratory and cardiac failure. Laparoscopic approach is a feasible and effective procedure with good postoperatively results, but required good skills in mininvasive technique.