Symptoms of Hiatal Hernia
Hiatal hernias that are small in size usually go undetected. As things progress though, noticeable symptoms and discomfort can start to set in. Here are some of the signs that may point to a hiatal hernia:
- Heartburn (GERD)
- Pain in the chest or abdomen
- Regurgitation
- Shortness of breath
- Dysphagia
- Early satiety
The Laparoscopic Repair Procedure
Hiatal hernia surgery is nothing like it used to be, when large incisions and lengthy hospital stays were the norm. Modern laparoscopic surgery gets it done through a few small incisions in the upper abdomen, with the patient under general anesthesia throughout.
Laparoscopy involves a fiber optic tube with a camera at its tip inserted into the body for better visualization of the diaphragm and stomach. The displaced portion of the stomach is carefully guided back into the abdominal cavity. The removal of the hernia sac aids in achieving long-term results.
The weakened or enlarged opening in the diaphragm is then stitched back together, and in some cases surgical mesh is added to reinforce it. Some patients will have a Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication, which involves wrapping the upper portion of the stomach around the lower esophagus. This procedure prevents the backward flow of stomach acid into the esophagus.
