Combination of paraesophageal hernia and Morgagni hernia in an old patient

Paraesophageal hiatal hernia is an uncommon condition that requires urgent correction to prevent life-threatening complications. It is present in 14% of all hiatal hernias. The incidence of Morgagni hernia among all diaphragmatic defects is 3-4% and about 90% of the hernias occur on the right, 8% are bilateral and 2% are on the left. The combination of a Morgagni hernia and paraesophageal hernia is very rare and only four cases have been reported in the literature. All of them occurred in the right. This report describes an old case admitted to our clinic with dyspnea, chest pain and chronic gastrointestinal symptoms, found to have combined left Morgagni and paraesophageal hernia. Surgical repair was performed via transabdominal approach. This unusual case and surgical approaches are discussed in light of the data presented in the literature.