Original researchLaparoscopic repair of giant hiatal hernia. A single center experience

•Patients with giant hiatus hernias were studied.•Efficacy and safety of laparoscopic giant hiatal hernia repair on a routine basis in a small community hospital.•Good symptom control, high patient satisfaction, improved overall quality of life.

IntroductionGiant hiatal hernia is a rare clinical entity with possibly serious complications, diagnosed mostly among older patients. The laparoscopic repair of such hernias is a therapeutic option, performed mostly in specialized centers by experienced surgeons.MethodsFrom 1997 to 2012 fifty-five patients with giant hiatal hernia (median age of 72) were primarily treated by laparoscopic surgery at the surgical department of the Catholic Clinic Oberhausen. Demographic data, operating times, conversion rate, morbidity and mortality were recorded prospectively. Follow-up was conducted by means of a mailed questionnaire.ResultsIntraoperative complications occurred in 1,8% of the cases (n = 1). In this single case the procedure was converted to an open procedure due to technical difficulties imposed by hepatomegaly. The median operating time was 96 min (range, 30 to 350). Our rate of postoperative complications was 14,5% (n = 8). The median postoperative hospital stay was nine days. 14,5% (n = 8) of our patients underwent a redo-surgery for symptomatic recurrence. The median follow-up was 64 months by means of a self-designed questionnaire. 34,5% (19/55) of the questioned patients responded to our survey. The difference between pre- and postoperative symptom intensity was found to be significant for heartburn (p < 0,001) and retrosternal/epigastric pain (p = 0,028). The difference was not found to be statistically significant for dysphagia (p = 0,8) and bloating (p = 0,3).85% of the questioned patients stated they would have the operation again, if necessary. 80% reported an improvement of their overall quality of life.DiscussionThe laparoscopic repair of large hiatal hernias is a safe approach with an intraoperative complication rate of 1,8%, low post-operative morbidity (14,5%) and very low mortality (1,8%). There is a high patient satisfaction (85%) and a good postoperative quality of life (80%).ConclusionThe laparoscopic approach for repair of large hiatal hernias is a relatively safe method with significant long-term efficacy in terms of symptom control and quality of life.