Biological Mesh Repair of Paraesophageal Hernia: An Analysis of Our Outcomes

Symptomatic paraesophageal hernia (PEH) is an indication for surgical repair. Laparoscopic suture repair has high recurrence rates. Many surgeons prefer mesh repair to reduce PEH recurrence. Several types of mesh, synthetic and biological, are in use. Synthetic mesh has a risk of erosion and stricture, hence we preferred biological mesh repair. Our aim in this study is to assess medium-term outcomes of PEH repair with the use of biological mesh reinforcement over the cruroplasty. We also aimed to correlate clinical recurrences with radiological recurrences. This is a retrospective study of 154 consecutive patients from a single centre who underwent a standardized laparoscopic suture repair of the hiatus reinforced with an on-lay patch of Surgisis (porcine small intestine submucosa) and fundoplication. The mean age of the patients was 65 years. All patients were called for regular clinical follow-up and a barium study. Modified GERD-HRQL symptom severity instrument was used to assess postoperative symptoms and satisfaction. The mean follow-up for barium swallow and clinical assessment were 28.42 ± 21.2 and 33.69 ± 23.46 months. The mean patient satisfaction score after surgery was 4.43 ± 1.09 (0-5). Follow-up barium swallow was performed in 122 (79.22%), 87 (56.49%) patients completed clinical follow-up questionnaire, and 77 (50%) had both. Symptomatic recurrence was noted in 25 (28.73%), recurrence on barium swallow 25(20.4%), and 10 (12.98%) had both. The reoperation rate was 3.25%. Mann-Whitney U test showed no statistical significance in reflux-related score between radiological recurrence group compared with no radiological recurrence (P = .06). Biological mesh repair of PEH is safe and well accepted by patients. There is significantly high PEH recurrence rate in long-term follow-up, even with mesh repair. Majority of these recurrences are small, asymptomatic, and the reoperation rate is very low.