[Gastroesophageal reflux and chronic or acute broncho-pulmonary diseases in adults]

Forty four observations of patients with chronic or acute broncho-pulmonary affections were gathered over 6 years. All exploration tests for an obstructive etiology were negative. All these patients had a hiatal hernia by sliding with gastro-oesophageal reflux. In 27 patients the repeated pulmonary accidents, the importance of oesophageal symptomatology prompted a treatment of the hiatal hernia. In all these patients every pulmonary symptoms disappeared. In assessing some acute or chronic pulmonary affections, when etiology cannot by traced, besides considering anatomical, clinical and histological data, radiological and endoscopic examination should be undertaken to find gastro-oesophageal reflux.