Treating a Hiatal Hernia

Esophageal Center at RWJ University Hospital New Brunswick

A hiatal hernia is when part of your stomach pushes up into an opening (the hiatus) in your diaphragm—the muscle between your stomach and your chest. In most cases, your esophagus goes through the hiatus and joins your stomach. But with a hiatal hernia, the top part of your stomach moves up through that opening into your chest. When this occurs, the top part of your stomach gets pinched. This may or may not cause symptoms.

There are two types of hiatal hernia:

• Sliding Hiatal Hernia, the most common, occurs when part of the stomach, and the place where the stomach and esophagus meet, slide up into your chest.
• Paraesophageal Hernia, less common but more serious, occurs when part of your stomach pushes into your chest and is next to your esophagus.

For some, symptoms could include acid reflux, difficulty swallowing, crampy chest pain and shortness of breath. Mild symptoms may be treated with medications or lifestyle changes. Individuals who do not respond well to these types of treatments or who have more severe symptoms typically find that surgery affords them long-term relief.

Treatments

Most hiatal hernias are treated with minimally invasive, laparoscopic or robotic surgical solutions. To repair the hernia, a thin tube with a light and a camera is inserted into the abdomen through a few small incisions. The surgeon will work to put the stomach back in place and secure the area to prevent the hernia from reoccurring.

Find out more about hiatal hernia care at the RWJUH Esophageal Center by calling 732-235-8970.