Introduction
The opening in the diaphragm (main muscle for breathing which separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity) through which the food pipe passes from the chest to the stomach becomes very wide. This causes the stomach to move up into the chest cavity. The symptoms of hiatus hernia are primarily due to the associated GERD as described above.
Diagnosis
- UGI Endoscopy
- CECT Scan of the abdomen
Treatment
- Laparoscopic repair of hiatus hernia with fundoplication. Depending on size of the hernia a mesh may be used to strengthen the closure of the hiatal opening