Para-oesophageal hernia and Anti-reflux surgery

A hiatus hernia occurs when the stomach pushes through the diaphragm opening into the chest.   A sliding hiatus hernia is common, when the top of the stomach slips up into the chest.  It may then cause symptoms of acid reflux, such as heartburn or regurgitation.  A para-oesophageal hernia occurs when there is a larger ‘hole’ created in the diaphragm and the stomach is pushed further up or twists up into the chest, causing pain or at times vomiting or chest problems.

If there are no symptoms from your hiatus hernia, it may be able to be left alone.  If you have heartburn or acid reflux, you would usually be treated first with medications to control that.

Surgery may be an option if your medications are  not working well or you don’t want to take them for life.  When the hiatus hernia is very large, it may cause breathing problems as they go into the chest, or pain or vomiting and that is when you should seek surgical help.

Ms Avril Chang can help with determining the cause of your symptoms and commence investigations to determine whether surgery may help.

If surgery is needed, she can carry out any procedures with keyhole surgery to ensure your recovery is rapid.