EGS P26 Audit of outcomes of Hiatus hernia repairs done as an emergency procedure in a tertiary care center

Abstract

Abstract Background Hiatus hernia is the abnormal protrusion of stomach and /or intra-abdominal contents into the chest via a widened space between the diaphragmatic crura. Patients with hiatus hernias can present with a wide spectrum of symptoms ranging from a mild dyspepsia to acute presentations such as obstruction and strangulation. The recurrence rate, morbidity and mortality in patients requiring emergency surgeries in such acute presentations has been reported to be significantly high compared to that of elective hernia repair. We aim to assess the outcomes of hiatus hernia repairs done as an emergency surgery in a tertiary care center. Methods A retrospective study of all emergency hiatus hernia repairs done over a span of 10 years was done. Demographic details, BMI, smoking status, past medical history, method of diagnosis and management, duration of inpatient stay and the follow up was collected. The primary outcome of the study was 30 day mortality rate. Secondary outcomes were further surgeries during the same admission and recurrence rate. Results A total of 25 patients were identified to undergo an emergency hiatus hernia repair. 1 patient was excluded due to transfer to a different health board. 62.5%(n=15) of the patient were females. Duration of stay as inpatient ranged between 3 and 138 days. Of note, there were no deaths during the stay or recorded mortality by 30 days in the cohort. Conclusions The mortality rate in our unit is low in comparision with reported studies in literature.