Background: It has been reported that the laparoscopic repair of paraesophageal hernias is associated with higher complication and recurrence rates than the open methods of repair.
Methods: We identified 136 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic repair of a paraesophageal hernia between 1993 and 1999. Patient demographics and symptom scores for regurgitation, heartburn, chest pain, and dysphagia at presentation and at last follow-up were recorded (0 = none, 1 = mild, 2 = moderate, 3 = severe). The operative records were reviewed, and early and late complications were noted. Only patients with a follow-up of >1 were included in the analysis.
Results: The median age was 64 years, and there was a female preponderance (1.8:1). Most patients had some medical comorbidity; the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores were <2 in eight patients and ?2 in 117 patients. Three laparoscopic operations were converted to open procedures. There were nine intraoperative complications, five early complications, and three related deaths (morbidity and mortality rates of 10.2% and 2.2%, respectively). Follow-up data were available for 83 patients (66%), and the mean follow-up time was 40 months (range, 12-82). The percentage of patients experiencing chest pain, dysphagia, heartburn, and regurgitation in the moderate to severe range dropped from a range of 34-47% to 5-7% (p <0.05). Three patients underwent repeat laparoscopic repair for symptomatic recurrence.
Conclusion: The laparoscopic repair of paraesophageal hernias provides excellent long-term symptomatic relief in the majority of patients and has a low rate of symptomatic recurrence. The complication and death rates may be related in part to the higher incidence of comorbidities in this somewhat elderly patient population.