A paraesophageal hernia is a type of hiatal hernia where a significant portion of the stomach (and possibly other organs) bulges through a natural opening in the diaphragm and into the chest cavity. This type of hernia can lead to a number of symptoms, including obstructive symptoms (food or liquid sticking, pain after eating, nausea, etc) or symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), such as heartburn, reflux or regurgitation. Often these symptoms can significantly impair quality-of-life. Rarely, they can be life-threatening.
Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Repair of Paraesophageal Hernias
Treatment for paraesophageal hernias can vary depending on the individual case. In some cases, medications and lifestyle changes can help manage the symptoms of the hernia. When symptoms impact the quality of life, surgery may be recommended. The thoracic surgeons at Baylor Medicine repair these hernias at a high volume and do so through a minimally invasive robot-assisted laparoscopic approach, which offers faster recovery and lower complication rates.
