[Giant paraesophageal herniation with intermittent prolapse into the thorax of the transverse colon].

HISTORY AND ADMISSION FINDINGS

A 74-year-old woman was admitted with a history of recurring dyspnea for several months. During radiological examination of the chest computed tomography demonstrated a giant paraesophageal hernia containing transverse colon with a significant amount of paracolic fat tissue. Physical examination was unremarkable.

INVESTIGATIONS

Routine blood tests and abdominal ultrasound were within the normal range. Endoscopy showed a normal upper and lower gastrointestinal tract and barium swallow was normal without any esophageal motor dysfunction. The esophagogastric junction and gastric fundus were below the diaphragm.

TREATMENT AND COURSE

Laparoscopy revealed the colonic herniation and mediastinal adhesiolysis, complete resection of the hernia sac and reposition of the intrathoracic migrated transverse colon were undertaken. Hiatal repair was performed by anterior and posterior hiatoplasty and construction of an anterior 180˚ semifundoplication with fundopexy.

CONCLUSION

Patients with giant paraesophageal hernias often present with nonspecific cardiac and respiratory symptoms and the condition is often misdiagnosed. If it is demonstrated, a possible abdominal involvement should be looked for. Minimally invasive surgery is feasible and efficacious in this condition and in addition to being better tolerated by the patient provides a far better visualization of the intrathoracic parts of a type IV hiatal hernia to the surgeon.