Hiatal / Paraesophageal Hernia Surgery

In most hiatal hernia cases, surgery is not required. Often you can use antacids and over the counter medications to manage the symptoms.

If surgery is required, it is usually performed under general anesthesia and is either an inpatient or outpatient procedure. After anesthesia is given, your surgeon will make small incisions on either side of the hernia. One is used for a laparoscope, which gives the surgeon a video feed of the surgical environment. Other instruments are inserted through other incisions. These will be used to perform the minimally invasive surgery to repair the hernia.

Once the hiatal hernia is located, the surgeon will pull the stomach down through the diaphragm (if necessary) and return it to the abdominal cavity. The top of the stomach is stitched into place around the end of the esophagus. If the hernia is large a mesh graft may be used as well. Once the procedure is complete the incisions are closed.

In a couple of weeks you will be able to return to your normal routine. In the first week you will feel a little tender and you’ll want to limit your activities to ensure that the incisions have time to heal. The experts at Celebration Colorectal will go over post operative care with you before you are discharged and allowed to go home.

If you're interested in learning more about hiatal hernia surgery options, please make an appointment at Celebration Colorectal today.