Because of age, obesity or smoking, patients may have a condition called Hiatal Hernia. This situation is very common in patients over 50 years old. Hiatal Hernias is also very typical for patients undergoing bariatric surgery. One study found that 42% of patients who intend to undergo gastric sleeve surgery have either Hiatal Hernia or Para-Esophageal Hernia (PEH).
If patients are found to have Hiatal hernias, bariatric surgeons need to perform Hiatal Hernia Repair, before they can successfully perform bariatric surgery. Patients are urged to contact our staff if they have GERD or see how our surgeons repair Hiatal hernias.
What are Hiatal Hernias?
Hiatal Hernia is a condition where the patient’s stomach is partitioned, unnaturally, by the diaphragm. Creating a section of the stomach above the diaphragm and a section below the diaphragm. A small hiatal hernia may not produce any symptoms or signs, but a large hiatal hernia can create these symptoms:
Symptoms Include:
- Chest Pain
- Problem Swallowing
- Heartburn
- Fatigue
- Belching
Treatment Needed Before Bariatric Surgery:
Because of the location of the stomach, patients undergoing any bariatric surgery will need to put the stomach back in its original position. It is necessary to complete this task laparoscopically, just like other bariatric surgeries, allowing our bariatric surgeons not to create additional incisions.
After the stomach is below the hiatus (opening of the diaphragm), the doctor can continue with the bariatric surgery. Because of the unknown nature of a hiatal hernia, it may return after surgery has taken place.
Definition of a Hiatal Hernia:
- Hiatus – opening of the diaphragm
- A Hernia – Internal body part pushes into an area outside of its domain.
Common Causes of a Hiatal Hernia:
- Predisposed to Hiatal Hernia, unusually large hiatus
- Accident or Injury to the area
- Pressure, constant and powerful, from surrounding muscles, can occur through coughing, straining during a bowel movement, lifting heavy objects, or vomiting.
For further information, feel free to call us at 800-352-6769