Surgery can repair a hiatal hernia by pulling your stomach back into the abdomen and making the opening in the diaphragm smaller
. The procedure may also involve surgically reconstructing the esophageal sphincter or removing hernial sacs. However, not everyone who has a hiatal hernia needs surgery.
Is it worth fixing a hiatal hernia?
Patients who do not experience reflux but have other symptoms associated with their hiatal hernia should consider hernia repair
. Patients with Type II-IV Hiatal hernias should consider surgical repair, especially if they have symptoms.
When should you have hiatal hernia surgery?
Sometimes a hiatal hernia requires surgery. Surgery is generally used
for people who aren’t helped by medications to relieve heartburn and acid reflux, or have complications such as severe inflammation or narrowing of the esophagus
.
What percentage of hiatal hernia needs surgery?
Though many patients had persistent symptoms at 10 years of follow-up, researchers discovered that only
1.5%
of patients ultimately underwent elective surgery for their hiatal hernia.
Who is not a candidate for hiatal hernia surgery?
Who Is NOT a Good Candidate for Hernia Repair? You may not be a good candidate if:
You have a high risk of surgical complications. You are elderly (hernia repair studies suggest elderly as older than 75 years of age) and your hernia is not causing pain or discomfort
.
How long is hospital stay for hiatal hernia surgery?
Expect stay in the hospital
one to two days
after this procedure. On the morning after your procedure you will get a swallowing study to make sure everything is in the proper place. After that, you will start on a liquid diet.
What happens if a hernia is left untreated?
“Hernias cannot heal on their own — if left untreated,
they usually get bigger and more painful, and can cause serious health risks in some cases
.” If the wall through which the intestine is protruding closes shut, it can cause a strangulated hernia, which cuts off blood flow to the bowel.
How painful is hiatal hernia surgery?
After laparoscopic surgery,
most people will not experience much pain, but they may feel discomfort in their abdomen and chest and have difficulty swallowing
. This usually passes within 48 hours. After a laparoscopy, a person may be able to go home the same day if they have recovered from the anesthetic.
Does omeprazole help with hiatus hernia?
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
Reduce the amount of acid produced by your stomach. They are usually the first treatment for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), which
can be a symptom of hiatus hernia and include omeprazole and lansoprazole
.
What type of surgeon fixes hiatal hernias?
In some cases,
abdominal surgeons and chest (thoracic) surgeons
are also involved. The Esophageal Clinic often participates in care for people with hiatal hernias. These specialists work together to provide exactly the care you need.
Will a hiatal hernia go away if you lose weight?
The weight loss itself may ease symptoms from a hiatal hernia or reduce the size of the bulge to the point where surgery is no longer necessary
. If symptoms return, hernia repair may still be performed after some weight is lost following weight reduction surgery, or even along with a weight loss surgery.
What is the best medicine for hiatal hernia?
What is the best medicine for hiatal hernia?
Antacids, used to reduce stomach acids, such as Maalox or Tums
are available over-the-counter and are often used to treat initial symptoms of a hiatal hernia. Prilosec is a highly recommended prescription drug used to treat hiatal hernia.
Can a hiatal hernia go away without surgery?
Hiatal hernias that do not cause symptoms do not require immediate treatment. However, symptom-producing hiatal hernias may need to be treated.
They do not heal on their own and require surgical intervention
.
How do you know if your hiatal hernia is getting worse?
Symptoms of a hiatal hernia
heartburn that gets worse when you lean over or lie down
. acid reflux or GERD. chest pain or epigastric pain. trouble swallowing.
Can you live a normal life with a hiatal hernia?
Outlook.
Many people with hiatal hernias have no symptoms and do not need medical care
. But for people with more severe hernias, treatment with medication, lifestyle changes, and, in some cases, surgery may be needed to repair the hernia and provide relief from uncomfortable symptoms like heartburn and chest pain.
Why do doctors not fix hiatal hernias?
A failed or poorly performed hiatal surgery procedure can cause continued disruptions to your quality of life
. Your symptoms may return. You risk experiencing recurrent heartburn, nerve damage, increased bowel symptoms, and difficulty swallowing. Repair of recurrent hernias is complicated, especially in older patients.
How much weight do you lose after hiatal hernia surgery?
Patients are counseled that they will likely lose
10–15 pounds
during the first 4–6 weeks after surgery before the nadir of weight loss (2).
What aggravates a hiatal hernia?
Alcohol, mint, citrus fruit, tomatoes, and carbonated beverages
may irritate the lining of the esophagus in those with GERD. Like caffeinated drinks, they also relax the LES and cause reflux.
Do you get a catheter during hernia surgery?
Some men may have problems passing urine after hernia surgery.
If you have problems urinating, you may need a catheter
. This is a thin flexible tube that is inserted into your bladder for a short time to drain urine. Following instructions about how active you can be while recovering.
What tests are done before hernia surgery?
A few days before surgery, your surgeon may order a pre-op exam consisting of
blood tests, an EKG (electrocardiogram), and a chest X-ray
to be sure your heart and lungs are in good condition.
What is the newest surgery for hiatal hernia?
Surgeons have been repairing hiatal hernias for decades through the use of a fundoplication and an esophageal lengthening procedure known as
Collis gastroplasty
, a procedure that aims to eliminate or reduce severe symptoms such as heartburn, regurgitation and difficulty eating.
How do I know if my hernia needs surgery?
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Fever.
- Intensifying pain.
- A bulge that turns red or purple.
How did I get a hiatus hernia?
A hiatal hernia occurs
when weakened muscle tissue allows your stomach to bulge up through your diaphragm
. It’s not always clear why this happens. But a hiatal hernia might be caused by: Age-related changes in your diaphragm.
How do you push a hiatal hernia back in?
- Lie down or sit in a comfortable position, placing one hand on your belly and the other on your chest.
- Breathe in as deeply as you can until you can feel your stomach press against your hand.
- Hold, then exhale and feel your stomach move back away from your hand. Repeat for several breaths each day.
How do doctors fix a hiatal hernia?
The specific laparoscopic procedure used to repair a hiatal hernia is called the
Nissen fundoplication
. This procedure creates a permanent solution to your hiatal hernia symptoms. During the procedure, your surgeon will make five or six tiny incisions in the abdomen.
Can a hiatal hernia become cancerous?
Further problems. It’s rare for a hiatus hernia to cause complications, but
long-term damage to the oesophagus caused by leaking stomach acid can lead to ulcers, scarring and changes to the cells of the oesophagus, which can increase your risk of oesophageal cancer
. Read more about the complications of a hiatus hernia.
