Hiatal hernia surgery becomes necessary when your hernia is large enough that it causes severe heartburn and gastric reflux that cannot
be controlled through diet or other non-invasive forms of treatment. This surgery is very successful at eliminating acid reflux.
Occasionally,
hiatal hernia surgery is required on an emergency basis. This happens when the stomach passes through your diaphragm and becomes twisted.
When this happens, the surgeon must return your organs to their proper places and suture the hernia so everything stays in place.
When
you have hiatal hernia surgery, your doctor will use one of two methods, the open hiatal hernia repair or the laparoscopic method.
When deciding upon which method to use, your doctor will consider your individual medical history as well as the nature of the hernia
repair that you require.
Laparoscopic surgery is preferred when possible because it causes less pain and shorter hospital stays
are required. This type of surgery also leaves much smaller scars. Other names for this procedure are telescopic surgery or keyhole
surgery. When using this method, the doctor makes a tiny incision and inserts a thin hollow tube through it. There is a mini-camera
inside the tube that sends a picture to be viewed on a large screen in the operating room. Your doctor slides surgical instruments
through the hollow tube and performs your hiatal hernia surgery while watching the viewing screen.
Open hiatal hernia repair
requires that a cut be made in your abdomen. Your doctor then reaches through this incision to close the hernia. He may need to pull
or push your stomach out of your esophagus and through your diaphragm. He will use sutures to close the opening in your diaphragm
so your stomach stays in place.
Your doctor may perform a fundoplication to reduce the chance you will continue to suffer from
heartburn after surgery. This involves wrapping the upper part of your stomach around your esophagus in a way that prevents reflux.
Hiatal
hernia surgery is done under general anesthesia so you sleep throughout the procedure, which takes about two hours. When the surgery
is complete, you will be monitored in the recovery room until you awaken.
You will need to recuperate in the hospital after hiatal
hernia surgery. If you have the laparoscope surgery, you can expect to be in the hospital for up to three days if you have no complications.
If you have open hernia repair, you may be hospitalized for up to six days.
After discharge from the hospital, you will continue
to recover at home. It will take three months to completely heal from hiatal hernia surgery. During that time, you must follow a special
diet and limit your physical activity.
The Procedure
