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Laparoscopic Repair of Large Hiatal Hernia Without Prosthetic Reinforcement: Late Results and Relevance of Anterior Gastropexy

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Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery Aims and scope

Abstract

Background

Laparoscopic treatment of large hiatal hernias seems to be associated with a high recurrence rate that some authors suggest to bring down by performing prosthetic closure of the hiatus. However, prosthetic repair remains controversial owing to severe and still underestimated complications. The aims of this study were to assess the long-term functional and objective results of laparoscopic treatment without prosthetic patch, and to identify the risk factors of recurrence.

Methods

From November 1992 to March 2009, 89 patients underwent laparoscopic treatment of a large hiatal hernia without prosthetic patch, involving excision of the hernial sac, cruroplasty, fundoplication, and often anterior gastropexy. The postoperative assessment consisted of a barium esophagram on day 2, an office visit at 2 months with a 24-h pH study, an esophageal manometry, and then a long-term prospective yearly follow-up with a barium esophagram at 2 years.

Results

Out of the 89 laparoscopic procedures, four required a conversion (4.4%). Seventy-seven patients underwent a Boerema’s anterior gastropexy (86.5%). The morbidity rate was 7.8%, and the mortality rate was nil. Eleven patients (12.3%) were lost to follow-up. We had 91.5% of very good early functional results and 75.3% of good results after a mean follow-up of 57.5 months. Fourteen recurrences of hiatal hernias (15.7%) were identified, four of which (28.6%) occurred early after surgery. Three factors seemed significantly associated with recurrence: the absence of anterior gastropexy (p = 0.0028), the group of younger patients (p = 0.03), and a history of abdominal surgery (p = 0.01).

Conclusion

Large hiatal hernias can be treated by laparoscopy without prosthetic patch with a satisfying long-term result. Performing anterior gastropexy seems to significantly reduce the recurrences.

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Conflicts of interest

Drs. Poncet G., Robert M., Roman S. and Boulez J. have no conflicts of interest or financial ties to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Digestive Surgery, Edouard Herriot Hospital, Pavillon D, Pr Boulez unit, 5 Place d’Arsonval, 69 437, Lyon, France

    Gilles Poncet, Maud Robert & Jean-Claude Boulez

  2. Department of Gastroenterology, Edouard Herriot Hospital, Pavillon H, Lyon, France

    Sabine Roman

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  1. Gilles Poncet
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  2. Maud Robert
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  4. Jean-Claude Boulez
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Correspondence to Gilles Poncet.

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Poncet, G., Robert, M., Roman, S. et al. Laparoscopic Repair of Large Hiatal Hernia Without Prosthetic Reinforcement: Late Results and Relevance of Anterior Gastropexy. J Gastrointest Surg 14, 1910–1916 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-010-1308-6

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