Hiatal Hernia with Acute Obstructive Symptoms After Minimally Invasive Oesophagectomy

To evaluate the incidence, treatment and postoperative outcomes of an acute hiatal hernia (HH) after totally minimally invasive esophagectomy (tMIE) for oesophageal cancer.

The incidence and treatment of acute HH were analysed from our prospective database including all patients that were surgically treated for oesophageal cancer in the period between January 2011 and December 2018.

Within the study period, the database contained 307 patients that underwent minimally invasive oesophagectomy. Patients' characteristics were in line with the literature of Western data. The incidence of acute HH was 2.6% (N = 8). All patients presented with gastro-intestinal obstruction symptoms, that required acute operation, repositioning of the intrathoracic organs in combination with a crural repair. Mesh reinforcement was used in 38% (N = 3). In two patients, the intestines were partially resected due to ischemia. Postoperative complications, as atrial fibrillation, respiratory failure and anastomotic leakage, were seen in 63% (N = 5). Recurrence-rate was 38% (N = 3).

This present study demonstrates that an acute HH after tMIE is a serious complication with an incidence of 2.6%. When symptomatic and acute, HH requires surgical intervention and has high postoperative morbidity and recurrence-rate. Therefore, this requires treatment in a centre specialised in oesophageal surgery.