Hiatal Hernia Repair : Curehealth

Hiatal Hernia Repair

Hiatal Hernia Repair is a type of surgery done to repair a hiatal hernia which is an abnormal bulging in your abdomen.

Some facts about Hiatal Hernia Repair:

A hiatal hernia can cause heartburn or chest or upper abdominal pain
A hiatal hernia happens when part of your stomach pushes up into an opening (hiatus) in your diaphragm.
The muscle between your stomach and your chest is the diaphragm.
Your food pipe goes through the hiatus opening down to your stomach in most cases. But, the upper part of your stomach moves up through the opening into your chest in hiatal hernia and it gets pinched.
Stomach acid will flow up through the opening causing heartburn and other symptoms such as regurgitation and trouble swallowing.
You will need a hiatal hernia repair if the case is serious which is often done through laparoscopic surgery..
A X-ray of your upper digestive system, Upper endoscopy or a Esophageal manometry can be performed to diagnose Hiatal Hernia.
A hiatal hernia might be caused by persistent and intense pressure on the surrounding muscles, such as while vomiting, coughing, straining during a bowel movement, exercising or lifting heavy objects.
It can also occur when you are born with an unusually large hiatus.
It may also occur after trauma or certain types of surgery.
Internal bleeding, Infection and Damage to nearby organs are some of the risk associated with Hiatal Hernia Repair
Postoperative symptoms, such as trouble swallowing, trouble belching, or acid reflux may also occur.

A physical exam will be done to ensure that you are in good general health before having the surgery.
Blood tests or imaging tests will also be done.
Any history of bleeding disorders or are taking any blood-thinning (anticoagulant) medicines, aspirin, or other medicines that affect blood clotting should be informed to your healthcare provider as you may have to stop taking these medicines before your surgery.
You should inform about all the medicines you take including over-the-counter medicines such as ibuprofen as well as vitamins, herbs, and other supplements to your health care provider.

This surgery is suggested if you have a hiatal hernia and long-term (chronic) heartburn and other symptoms.
Surgery can be performed either using a single incision in your chest wall (thoracotomy) or using a minimally invasive technique called laparoscopy.
A small cuts (incisions) will be made by the surgeon in your body and a long, thin tube (laparoscope) that has a camera and small surgical tools will be put into the cuts to repair the hernia.
Your surgeon views images from inside your body that are displayed on a video monitor during the procedure.
You may need open (traditional) surgery to repair your hiatal hernia in some cases.
Your stomach will be pulled down into your abdomen and making the opening in your diaphragm smaller or reconstructing an esophageal sphincter.
Hiatal hernia surgery can be combined with weight-loss surgery, such as a sleeve gastrectomy.