Efficacy of Combined Hiatal Hernia Repair and Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication for Giant Paraoesophageal Hernias: Technique and Early Results.

INTRODUCTION

Data is limited on hybrid transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) and hiatal hernia repair in giant paraoesophageal hernia (GPEH). We aimed to assess the safety, patient satisfaction, and symptom resolution following a hybrid paraoesophageal hernia (PEH) repair and TIF in patients with GPEH.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All single-session hybrid TIF combined with minimally invasive PEH repair performed between February 2020 and June 2021 were evaluated. Procedures were performed in the operating room under general anesthesia with robotic or laparoscopic PEH repair followed by TIF.

RESULTS

Twelve patients underwent combined surgical hiatal hernia repair and TIF. Primary presenting symptoms included heartburn (75.0%), dysphagia (41.7%), and chronic anemia from Cameron's ulcers (16.7%). The mean hernia defect size was 5.0 cm (range 3.0 to 6.0 cm). Hiatal hernia repairs were performed robotically in 7 patients and laparoscopically in 5 patients. The total mean operative time was 254 minutes (range: 180 to 390 min). One patient reported postoperative dysphagia requiring endoscopic dilation postdischarge with a resolution of symptoms. No gas-bloat symptoms were reported. All patients reported complete resolution of presenting symptoms at the time of follow-up. Postoperative mean follow-up for 4 patients at 6 months with upper endoscopy and pH testing showed an intact valve with no evidence of esophagitis or acid reflux.

CONCLUSIONS

In our experience, hybrid hiatal hernia repair and TIF is a safe and effective therapeutic option for patients with GPEH. This hybrid procedure allows for more expeditious completion of the repair and results in lower rates of postfundoplication dysphagia and gas-bloat. Furthermore, this approach requires a less extensive surgical dissection on the greater curvature of the stomach, thereby minimizing the risk of vagal nerve injury and bleeding from the short gastric vessels.