Hiatal Hernia After Esophagectomy: A Single-Center Retrospective Analysis of a Rare Postoperative Phenomenon

Abstract

Development of a post-esophagectomy hiatal hernia (PEHH) is a rare, but problematic, sequela with the current reported prevalence ranging up to 20%. To determine the incidence rate of PEHH at our institution, a retrospective review of all transhiatal esophagectomies performed from 2012 to 2020 was conducted. Demographic, operative, and oncologic data were collected, rates of PEHH were calculated, and characteristics of subsequent repair were reviewed and analyzed. A total of 160 transhiatal esophagectomies were included, of which four patients (2.5%) developed a PEHH at a mean of 12 months postoperatively (range: 3-28 months) with symptomatology driving the diagnosis for three patients. The limited size of our study does not allow for statistically significant determinations regarding risk factors or method of repair. The true prevalence of a hiatal defect is likely higher than reported, as clinically asymptomatic patients are not captured in our current literature.

Postesophagectomy Diaphragmatic Prolapse after Robot-Assisted Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy (RAMIE)

“…All patients receiving an IL-RAMIE for esophageal cancer between April 2017 and December 2022 were included in this underlying study. The study cohort was followed up for PDP for at least 6 months postoperatively [ 19 ].…”