Hiatal Hernia Repair

Peter J. Lydon, MD, FACS

A Hiatal Hernia occurs when a normal opening in the diaphragm (the muscle that separates your chest from the abdomen) becomes enlarged allowing a portion of the stomach to enter the chest cavity. In the majority of cases, this type of herniation does not cause any problems and no treatment is required. In some cases, however, symptoms of acid reflux or pain may occur. The occurrence of severe symptoms of GastroEsophageal Relux (GERD) with a hiatal hernia is often an indication for surgical treatment. A hiatal hernia repair is performed laparoscopically using minimally invasive techniques via the abdomen. This procedure is performed under general anesthesia and typically requires an overnight hospital stay with return to daily activities in about one to two weeks.