Laparoscopic Treatment of Paraesophageal Hernia Complicated with Gastric Volvulus

ABSTRACT

Paraesophageal hernias are rare, accounting only for about 5% of all hiatal hernias but can sometimes lead to life-threatening complications such as bleeding, obstruction, incarceration, and strangulation. Accordingly, the surgical repair of paraesophageal hernia must be performed irrespectively of symptoms. Laparoscopic techniques of paraesophageal hernia offer several advantages compared with open techniques, including smaller incision, less traumatic handling of tissues, less postoperative pain. In this report, we describe a case of paraesophageal hernia complicated with gastric volvulus, which has been successfully repaired by the laparoscopic approach. A 79-year-old female was suffering from dysphagia, abdominal pain and intermittent vomiting for several months, and a paraesophageal hernia with partial gastric outlet obstruction due to gastric volvulus was diagnosed. The patient underwent the reduction of the hernia, dissection of the sac, crural repair and fundoplication via a laparoscopic approach. She recovered early and has been doing well on follow up with no recurrence.