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Prevalence and Resolution of Anemia with Paraesophageal Hernia Repair

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Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery Aims and scope

Abstract

Background

Paraesophageal hernias may produce a variety of clinical sequelae including anemia and esophagogastric ulcerations or erosions. We examined the prevalence of anemia in patients with paraesophageal hernias and frequency of anemia resolution with hernia repair.

Methods

Patients undergoing paraesophageal hernia repairs from July 1996 to September 2010 were included. Data gathered included age, gender, type of hernia, presence of symptomatic anemia, presence of esophagogastric ulcer/erosion, type of repair, and anemia resolution.

Results

One hundred eighty-three patients underwent paraesophageal hernia repair; of these, 68 (37 %) were anemic. Of these anemic patients, 39 (57 %) were symptomatic from their anemia or specifically referred for anemia, and 20 (29 %) had esophagogastric ulceration/erosion. Fifty-eight had documented follow-up. Overall, of these, 35 (60 %) had resolution of their anemia. Seventy percent of symptomatic patients had resolution of their anemia, compared to 48 % of asymptomatic patients (p = 0.1). Of patients with esophagogastric ulceration/erosion, 85 % were symptomatic and 88 % had resolution of anemia, compared to 50 % of patients without ulceration/erosion (p = 0.015).

Conclusions

Anemia was a common finding in patients with paraesophageal hernia and most patients were symptomatic because of their anemia. Those patients with esophageal or gastric ulceration/erosion were very likely to have symptomatic anemia, and, interestingly, these patients were more likely to have their anemia resolve with paraesophageal hernia repair.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Henry Ford Health System, 2799 West Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI, 48202, USA

    Chady Haurani, Arthur M. Carlin & Zane T. Hammoud

  2. Division of General Surgery, University of South Florida, One Tampa General Circle, F145, Tampa, FL, 33606, USA

    Vic Velanovich

Authors
  1. Chady Haurani
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  2. Arthur M. Carlin
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  3. Zane T. Hammoud
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  4. Vic Velanovich
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Arthur M. Carlin.

Additional information

This study was a poster presentation of the Society for Surgery of Alimentary Track during the Digestive Disease Week (DDW®), May 2011, Chicago, IL.

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Haurani, C., Carlin, A.M., Hammoud, Z.T. et al. Prevalence and Resolution of Anemia with Paraesophageal Hernia Repair. J Gastrointest Surg 16, 1817–1820 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-012-1967-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-012-1967-6

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