Emergency laparoscopic repair of a paraesophageal hernia.

A 63-year-old male with a previously documented paraesophageal hernia presented with acute severe epigastric pain and bloating. He was taken urgently to the operating room for laparoscopic exploration. The hernia sac was reduced with difficulty owing to extensive adhesions and the incarcerated portion of the stomach was mottled and blue. After 10 min of observation the stomach began to resume a normal appearance. The anterior crura were approximated and an anterior gastropexy was performed. The patient was discharged on the 3rd postoperative day and has been asymptomatic since. Paraesophageal hernias with evidence of impending gastric necrosis can be approached laparoscopically as long as basic principles are observed.