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Hiatal Hernia Repair

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

Gallbladder Removal

Gallbladder removal (Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy or
Laparoscopic Gallbladder Removal) is the most commonly performed surgical procedures and is typically performed with minimally invasive techniques.

About the Gallbladder

The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ that rests beneath the right side of the liver. Its primary purpose is to gather and concentrate digestive fluids (bile) produced by the liver. Having the gallbladder removed does not typically cause any impairment in terms of digestion.

Causes of Gallbladder Issues:

  • Gallstones: The presence of gallstones, white is usually small and hard, can occur. Gallstones consist primarily of cholesterol and bile salts that form in the gallbladder or in the bile duct.
  • Other Risk Factors Include: being female, prior pregnancy, over 40 years of age and being overweight.

Preventing Gallbladder Issues

There are no known means of gallstone prevention. The stones can block the flow of bile out of the gallbladder, which causes it to swell resulting in vomiting, abdominal pain, indigestion and potentially fever.

If the gallstone blocks the common bile duct, it is possible that jaundice (yellowing of the skin) will occur in an individual.

How Gallbladder Problems are Found and Treated

Typically, an ultrasound is used to find gallstones. However, there are some more complex cases in which an X-ray test may be required. Some X-ray tests used include CT scan or a gallbladder nuclear medicine scan.

Gallstones may not go away on their own and some can be managed temporarily through changes in diet.

Surgical removal of the gallbladder is the safest treatment for gallbladder disease.

For further information, feel free to call us at 1-888-340-9257