[Diagnosis and treatment of hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux]

From 1962 to 1988, 17 patients with esophageal hiatal hernia with or without gastroesophageal reflux were treated. Among these, 14 patients received various types of gastroesophageal junction reconstructive procedures. Experience demonstrated that the clinical studies including gastroesophagography, endoscopy and intraluminal pressure patterns of esophagus are important diagnostic measures. It also seems, to us that intraluminal esophageal pressure monitoring during surgical operation is particularly useful in determining the adequacy of gastroesophageal reconstruction and may provide a dynamic evaluation of function of the gastroesophageal junction area. Some aspects of diagnosis and surgical treatment are discussed in detail.