What does Paraesophageal mean?

What does Paraesophageal mean?

Medical Definition of paraesophageal : adjacent to the esophagus especially : relating to or being a hiatal hernia in which the connection between the esophagus and the stomach remains in its normal location but part or all of the stomach herniates through the hiatus into the thorax.

How serious is a paraesophageal hernia?

Symptomatic paraesophageal hernias are at higher risk for progressing to incarceration (stomach gets stuck resulting in obstruction) or ischemia (blood supply to the stomach is cut off) resulting in the need for emergency surgery.

How do you fix a paraesophageal hiatal hernia?

The majority of paraesophageal hernias can be successfully repaired using laparoscopic techniques. A laparoscope is a flexible tube with a camera on the tip that provides real-time imaging to the surgeon. During a laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair, the surgeon will make five small incisions in the abdomen.

How is a paraesophageal hernia treated?

For patients with a paraesophageal hernia who are experiencing symptoms (abdominal pain, gastrointestinal bleeding and/or reflux), surgical treatment is typically recommended to prevent a strangulated hernia. Surgical intervention usually involves pushing the stomach or other protrusions back into place.

How do you get paraesophageal hernia?

A hiatal or paraesophageal hernia occurs when the GE junction, the stomach, or other abdominal organs such as the small intestine, colon, or spleen move up into the chest where they do not belong. There are several types of paraesophageal hernias.

How long can you live with a paraesophageal hernia?

Of 67 patients hospitalized for symptomatic paraesophageal hernia and treated conservatively, 11 (16.4%) died in the hospital within a mean of 42 months (range, 2-96 months) from onset of symptoms.

How do you treat a paraesophageal hernia?

Try to:

1. Eat several smaller meals throughout the day rather than a few large meals.
2. Avoid foods that trigger heartburn, such as fatty or fried foods, tomato sauce, alcohol, chocolate, mint, garlic, onion, and caffeine.
3. Avoid lying down after a meal or eating late in the day.
4. Maintain a healthy weight.
5. Stop smoking.

Do all paraesophageal hernias need surgery?

Not all paraesophageal hernias require repair, so patients should discuss the risks and benefits of an operation with their surgeon. A very large hernia or symptoms like heartburn, chest pressure, and inability to eat well may warrant surgery.

What are symptoms of paraesophageal hernia?

Hiatal hernias and paraesophageal hernias may cause symptoms such as reflux and heartburn; nausea, burping, and vomiting; regurgitation of food; unexplained upper abdominal or chest pain; a sense of fullness after eating; bloating; shortness of breath or coughing; or a sense of food getting stuck in the chest.

What size hiatus hernia needs surgery?

In fact, hiatal hernia problems typically only present in hernias larger than 6 cm or 2.5 inches. So long as your hernia is smaller than 6 cm or 2.5 inches, it should be manageable with self-care and medication.

When is a paraesophageal hernia an emergency?

In some cases, a paraesophageal hernia can lead to a medical emergency. The stomach or abdominal organs may turn or twist, causing very bad pain. There is a danger that the stomach’s blood supply may be cut off (strangulation). This is an emergency.

How do you get a paraesophageal hernia?

Called a paraesophageal hernia, this uncommon condition is often related to conditions that lead to increased abdominal pressure such as chronic cough, severe constipation and obesity. Age over 50, excessive body weight and smoking are common risk factors for the disorder.

How do you know if you have a paraesophageal hernia?

How long does paraesophageal hernia surgery take?

What to expect during a Nissen fundoplication procedure/paraesophageal repair. The surgery will typically take between 2 to 3 hours to complete. It is typically performed in the cardiothoracic operating room.

What can I expect after Paraesophageal surgery?

There is usually minimal pain associated with this operation. The abdomen will be sore as well as the small incision sites, and some patients have shoulder pain for the first day or two. The shoulder pain is caused by gas left in your abdomen during the operation. It will disappear on its own.

What are the most common symptoms of a paraesophageal hernia?

Presence of a hiatal opening since birth

Weakness in the abdominal wall since birth

Weight gain during pregnancy or obese condition leads to extra pressure over abdomen

Excessive coughing or excessive straining during bowel movement also causes stress build up over the abdomen

The condition worsens with aging

History of previous abdominal surgery.

Who should not receive hiatal hernia surgery?

Puts you to sleep with general anesthesia.

Makes multiple tiny incisions in the abdomen.

Uses high-tech instruments to move protruding stomach tissue back where it should be (beneath the diaphragm muscle).

Narrows or closes the hole in the diaphragm that created a hiatal hernia using stitches.

When should I be worried about a hiatal hernia?

heartburn that gets worse when you lean over or lie down.

chest pain or epigastric pain.

trouble swallowing.

belching.

What is the prognosis for a hiatal hernia?

Being born with an unusually large hiatus

Injury or trauma to the area such as force from a seatbelt during an accident

Obesity

Persistent and intense pressure on the surrounding muscles caused by: Chronic coughing Lifting heavy objects Repetitive vomiting Straining during a bowel movement