Long-term symptomatic outcome and radiologic assessment of laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair

The long-term durability of laparoscopic repair of paraesophageal hiatal herniation is uncertain. This study focuses on the long-term symptomatic and radiologic outcome of laparoscopic paraesophageal herniation repair.

Between 2000 and 2007, 70 patients (49 females, mean age +/- standard deviation 60.6 +/- 10.9 years) undergoing laparoscopic repair of paraesophageal herniation were studied prospectively. After a mean follow-up of 45.6 +/- 23.8 months, symptomatic (65 patients, 93%) and radiologic follow-up (60 patients, 86%) was performed by standardized questionnaires and esophagograms.

The symptomatic outcome was successful in 58 patients (89%), and gastroesophageal anatomy was intact in 42 patients (70%). The addition of a fundoplication was the only significant predictor of an unfavorable radiologic outcome in the univariate analysis (odds ratio .413; 95% confidence interval, .130 to 1.308; P = .125).

The long-term symptomatic outcome of laparoscopic repair of paraesophageal hiatal herniation was favorable in 89% of patients, and 70% had successful anatomic repair. The addition of a fundoplication did not prevent anatomic herniation.