When does a sliding hiatal hernia need treatment?
Most people are unaware of their sliding hiatal hernias but those who experience a lot of pain or discomfort may benefit from treatment.
Treatment would initially be tablets or liquid to block the acid that causes the discomfort from hiatus hernias. Sleeping with several pillows instead of one can also help.
If the medical approach doesn’t give sufficient relief then surgery is an option but this is usually only performed in the worst cases.
When symptoms do occur, their treatment is the same as for GERD.
The surgical procedure used is called Nissen fundoplication. In fundoplication, the upper part of the stomach is wrapped, or plicated, around the inferior part of the esophagus, preventing herniation of the stomach through the hiatus in the diaphragm and the reflux of gastric acid. The procedure is now commonly performed laparoscopically. With proper patient selection, laparoscopic fundoplication has low complication rates and a quick recovery.
Complications include gas bloating, trouble swallowing, dumping syndrome, excessive scarring, and rarely, achalasia. The procedure sometimes fails over time, requiring a second surgery to make repairs.
Written by admin on September 10th, 2008 with
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