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Diaphragmatic herniation after esophagectomy for carcinoma of the esophagus: a report of two cases

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Abstract

Diaphragmatic herniation after esophagectomy for carcinoma of the esophagus is a rare but preventable postoperative complication. For patients with symptoms, surgical repair of the hernia is recommended to prevent the potentially disastrous complications. In patients with asymptomatic hernias, a watchful waiting approach is reasonable. To prevent diaphragmatic herniation, we emphasize the importance of routine narrowing of the hiatus so that the surgeon can introduce three or four fingers and recommend awareness of the possibility of diaphragmatic herniation in patients with symptoms of intestinal obstruction. We report two cases of diaphragmatic herniation after esophagectomy for carcinoma of the esophagus, and estimate the incidence of herniation and assess surgical results on the basis of reported cases in the English-language literature.

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Correspondence to Hiroyuki Daiko.

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Daiko, H., Nishimura, M. & Hayashi, R. Diaphragmatic herniation after esophagectomy for carcinoma of the esophagus: a report of two cases. Esophagus 7, 169–172 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10388-010-0244-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10388-010-0244-6

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