Large Hiatal Defects Research Articles

Evaluation of DualMesh for repair of large hiatus hernia in a porcine model

Prosthetic fascial grafts are frequently used for augmentation of cruroplasty in large hiatus hernia repair to decrease the chances of recurrence. Potential complications such as intraluminal erosion may be related to the constant movement of mesh and diaphragm over the outer surface of the esophagus. This study aimed to evaluate DualMesh for repair of large hiatal defects in a porcine model. In this study, 18 Landrace x large white x Duroc crossbred pigs underwent either primary hiatal repair or tension-free prosthetic repair using DualMesh (80 x 50 mm or 80 x 100 mm). The animals were killed at 3 or 28 weeks for macroscopic and histologic evaluation of the hiatal region and gastroesophageal junction. All grafts had become encapsulated at 28 weeks, and the majority had filmy adhesions only to the visceral aspect. In all models, the esophagus moved freely over the cut edge of the prosthesis. No signs of intraluminal erosion were documented. At histologic examination, significant ingrowth was noted on the porous side of the mesh, whereas no defined mesothelial layer was identified on the capsule of the nonporous side. In this animal model of large hiatus hernia repair, DualMesh showed optimal characteristics in terms of host tissue incorporation on the porous side and absence of adhesions on the visceral side of the prosthesis. The absence of adhesions and intraluminal erosion in this study may provide reassurance to surgeons using mesh at the hiatus.

Mesh Repairs in Hiatal Surgery

Hiatal hernia repair is noted to have a considerable failure rate. Using clips placed on the crural repair and on the fundoplication limbs we have noted a 20% failure rate 6 months following standard laparoscopic fundoplication – albeit the anatomical failure rate has a low correlation with symptomatic failure. Hashemi et al. (J Am Coll Surg 2000; 190: 553–61) radiologically demonstrated a 29% recurrence rate (42% in those repaired laparoscopically) in type III hiatal hernia. Ketly and Falk oppose the wide-spread use of mesh hiatoplasty citing complications such as fibrotic stenosis and mesh erosion into the oesophagus, sometimes necessitating oesophagectomy. They compare the success of mesh hiatoplasty with that of mesh repair of parastomal hernia. Smith argues in favour of mesh repair on account of the tension of sutured hiatoplasty on the thin, attenuated and widened crural pillars observed in large hiatal defects. With increasing use of the more biologically compatible meshes now available, this technique will gain in popularity in an attempt to reduce the anatomical recurrence rate of sutured hiatoplasty. Tom Dehn Consultant Surgeon

Laparoscopic Reduction of Gastric Volvulus and Repair of Giant Hiatal Hernia in a Neonate

Intrathoracic gastric volvulus in the neonatal period is an extremely rare surgical problem that may present with acute respiratory decompensation or be discovered incidentally. Previously, only one report has described the laparoscopic evaluation and management of this problem in the newborn. The authors present the case of a 3-week-old term infant who presented with failure to thrive, tachypnea during feedings, and frequent emesis. Chest radiography revealed an intrathoracic stomach, which was confirmed on barium swallow and demonstrated no obstruction or gastroesophageal reflux. Laparoscopic gastric reduction, repair of a large hiatal hernia defect, and gastrostomy tube placement were performed. One week after the initial procedure, emesis recurred, and the infant was found to have hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, which was managed by laparoscopic pyloromyotomy. During the next few weeks, the infant initially fed well, but then severe gastroesophageal reflux developed, with failure to sustain adequate weight gain. At this point, a laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication was performed, which has allowed her to achieve full feedings and attain adequate nutrition and growth.

Laparoscopic mesh cruroplasty for large paraesophageal hernias.

Previous studies have shown that surgical repair of paraesophageal hernias is associated with a high recurrence rate, especially when a laparoscopic approach is used. Anatomic recurrence due to crura breakdown is a primary etiology, which has led us to employ prosthetic mesh reinforcement of large hiatal defects (> 5 cm) since 1996. We discuss the evolution of this approach and describe our current technique with limited outcomes in 52 consecutive patients during a 5-year period. There were 31 males and 21 females, with a mean age of 57 years (range, 32-77 years) with symptomatic reflux and endoscopic or radiologic evidence of a large paraesophageal hernia. Utilizing a laparoscopic approach, the contents of the sac were reduced and the crura approximated with permanent interrupted sutures and a prosthetic mesh was secured over the repair as an on-lay reinforcement buttress. A Nissen (42) or Tilley (9) fundoplication was performed in all but 1 patient, and 18 patients (34%) required a wedge collis gastroplasty. Fifteen patients (28%) had a previous unsuccessful antireflux operation. There was no perioperative morbidity or mortality. Follow-up averaged 25 months (range, 7-60 months). Postoperative gastroscopy or barium swallow have been performed in 27 patients to date, with 11 experiencing foregut symptoms. There has been 1 recurrence (1.9%) and no prosthetic erosion. Early results suggest that prosthetic mesh cruroplasty may be effective in reducing recurrence after laparoscopic repair of large paraesophageal hernias, but long-term follow-up is required in all patients to determine the true incidence of anatomic recurrence and prosthetic erosion.

Minimally Invasive Surgical Techniques in Reoperative Surgery for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Infants and Children

Fundoplication is commonly performed in children suffering from complications of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Recently laparoscopic fundoplication has become a standard of care for GERD in children. Published reports show that 2.3 to 14 per cent of children require reoperation after failed fundoplication. The purpose of this study is to show the feasibility of minimally invasive surgical (MIS) techniques to treat children after failed fundoplication. A retrospective chart review was performed for all patients who underwent laparoscopic redo fundoplication at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston from July 1998 to July 2000. The patients' records were reviewed for age, diagnosis, type and time of initial operation, type and time of redo operation, operative time for redo operation, and complications. Seventeen children (age 3 months to 18 years) had operations for failed fundoplication attempted using MIS techniques. Six of these children were referred after their initial operation performed elsewhere. Nine (53%) were neurologically impaired. Ten (59%) have respiratory complications of GERD. The initial procedures were as follows: One open Nissen fundoplication, two open Thal fundoplications, 13 laparoscopic Nissen fundoplications, and one laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication. The reoperative procedures performed were revision of fundoplication and hiatal hernia repair (13) or hiatal hernia repair only (four). Two patients had concurrent gastric emptying procedures. One procedure was converted to open for technical reasons. One patient developed a pelvic abscess secondary to leakage around the gastrostomy tube. One child had erosion into the esophagus of a Dacron patch that was used to close a large hiatal defect. Thirteen patients began feeding by the first postoperative day. We conclude that MIS techniques can be applied to reoperative surgery for the treatment of GERD with an acceptable complication rate in this difficult group of patients. Reoperative patients appear to have the same benefits from MIS as patients undergoing their initial procedure.

Prosthetic reinforcement of posterior cruroplasty during laparoscopic hiatal herniorrhaphy.

Symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux after Nissen fundoplication may occur if the wrap herniates into the thorax. In an attempt to prevent recurrent hiatal hernia we employed polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) mesh reinforcement of posterior cruroplasty during laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication and hiatal herniorrhaphy. Three patients with symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux and a large (>==8 cm) hiatal defect underwent laparoscopic posterior cruroplasty and Nissen fundoplication. The cruroplasty was reinforced with a PTFE onlay. No perioperative complications occurred, and in follow-up (<==11 months) the patients are doing well. When repairing a large defect of the esophageal hiatus during fundoplication, the surgeon may consider reinforcement of the repair with PTFE mesh.

THE ANGELCHIK ANTI-REFLUX PROSTHESIS

A silicone collar containing circumferential tape was tied around the cardio-esophageal junction in eight patients with symptomatic, refractory reflux, who were not good candidates for a standard antireflux procedure. A fine polypropylene tie or clip secured the knot. In two patients with large hiatal defects, the crura were approximated loosely. Mean operating time, including one cholecystectomy and one ventral hernia repair, was 51 minutes. Patients who underwent this simple operation had a combination of hypertension, heart disease, obesity and old age, and two had undergone horizontal gastroplasty previously for morbid obesity. The reflux was associated with hiatal hernia in seven of the eight patients. Preoperative studies included barium swallow roentgenography in all eight patients, and endoscopy, manometry and Bernstein test in six. All the studies were repeated postoperatively. Follow-up ranged from 17 to 48 months (mean 37.8 +/- 10.6 months). Postoperatively, there was a significant (p less than 0.01) improvement in symptoms, endoscopic findings and lower esophageal sphincter pressures. No prosthesis has migrated yet.