What Are Possible Hiatal Hernia Surgery Risks?

For an open hiatal hernia repair, a cut is made in the stomach area while the patient is under general anesthesia, asleep feeling no pain at all during the procedure.

The surgeon tightens the hiatus. The upper part of the stomach may be wrapped around the esophagus to reduce heartburn due to acid reflux, GERD. Sometimes the surgeon will place a temporary tube from the stomach through the abdominal wall to keep the stomach in place.

Risks or complications following hiatal hernia surgery include:

1. Difficulty swallowing because the stomach is wrapped too high on the esophagus or is wrapped too tightly. This complication may be more likely to occur in people who receive fundoplication surgery using a laparoscopic surgical technique.
2. The esophagus sliding out of the wrapped portion of the stomach so that the valve (lower esophageal sphincter) is no longer supported.
3. Heartburn that comes returns.
4. Bloating and discomfort from gas buildup because the person is unable to burp.
5. Excess gas.
6. Risks associated with anesthesia and major surgery (infection, bleeding, and breathing problems from the anesthetic). About 1 in 500 people (0.2%) who have this surgery die from anesthesia or complications from the surgery.

Written by admin on September 8th, 2008 with no comments.
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