[Recurrence of a hiatal hernia with intrathoracic perforation and respiratory failure during pregnancy]

Malene Børgager Dissing1, Jesper Durup1

  • 1Kirurgisk afdeling A, Odense Universitetshospital.

Ugeskrift for Laeger
|June 23, 2025
PubMed

Recurring diaphragmatic hernias severely complicating pregnancy is a rare but potentially fatal condition. Varying symptoms and low incidence often lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment, causing increased morbidity and mortality. We present a case where a 31-year-old pregnant woman developed respiratory failure due to a right mediastinal shift caused by perforation of an incarcerated hiatal hernia, for which she had previously been operated for. Post-operatively, she suffered from vomiting due to gastroparesis, likely caused by damage to the vagus nerve, and needed supplementary nutrition.

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