Gastropexy in the Repair of Patients with Paraesophageal Hernias

In the intervention group, a three-point gastropexy is added to the repair. First, the right fundus flap is adapted posteriorly to the crural portion of the diaphragm with a 2-3 cm long running non-absorbable suture ("posterior gastropexy"). Second, the left fundus flap is adapted to the diaphragm anterolateral to the hiatus with a 2-3 cm long running non-absorbable suture ("left anterolateral gastropexy"). Finally, the minor curvature of the anterior stomach wall is adapted during reduced intraabdominal pressure to the anterior abdominal wall with a 2-3 cm long running non-absorbable suture ("anterior gastropexy").

Ultrasonic shears are used for dissection. The herniated viscera are completely reduced into the abdomen and the hernia sac in fully dissected and resected. The esophagus is mobilized intraabdominally until at least 3 cm rests below the hiatus without tension. The anterior and posterior vagal nerves are identified and preserved. A posterior crural closure with running non-absorbable sutures is performed. An additional anterior crural closure may be performed at the surgeon's discretion. The fundus is mobilized to allow a floppy fundoplication. A total fundoplication is created by three interrupted non-absorbable sutures. No bougies are used routinely for calibration of the fundoplication.