Hiatal Hernia Flashcards
What is a hiatal hernia?
A hiatal hernia is a defect that permits a portion of the stomach
to move upwards into the thoracic cavity through a weakness in
the diaphragm.
Nagelhout JJ, Plaus KL. Nurse Anesthesia. 5th ed. St. Louis,
MO: Elsevier Saunders Company; 2014: 778.
List and describe 4 types of hiatal hernias.
Type 1 (sliding hernia) results from the fundus of the stomach
and the esophageal junction sliding upward. Type 2
(paraesophageal hernia) is a hiatal hernia in which the
esophagogastric junction stays in its normal anatomical
position, but a small portion of the stomach herniates next to the
junction via the esophageal hiatus. Type 3 (mixed hernia) is the
combination of a sliding and paraesophageal hernia. Type 4 is
the result of the small bowel, colon, or other organs being
located in the hernial sac created by a paraesophageal hernia.
Nagelhout JJ, Plaus KL. Nurse Anesthesia. 5th ed. St. Louis,
MO: Elsevier Saunders Company; 2014: 778.
What is the main symptom of a hiatal hernia?
Burning, retrosternal pain that usually happens following a meal
Longnecker DE, Newman MF, Brown DL, Zapol WM.
Anesthesiology. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2012: 1036-
1037.
What other disorder often occurs concurrently in
patients with a hiatal hernia?
Peptic esophagitis
Longnecker DE, Newman MF, Brown DL, Zapol WM.
Anesthesiology. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2012: 1036-
1037.
What is the main goal of a surgically corrected hiatal
hernia?
The main goal is a return in gastroesophageal integrity.
Longnecker DE, Newman MF, Brown DL, Zapol WM.
Anesthesiology. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2012: 1036-
1037.
Are aspiration precautions implemented when
inducing a patient with a hiatal hernia?
Although the majority of patients with a hiatal hernia do not
exhibit symptoms of reflux esophagitis, aspiration precautions
upon the induction of general anesthesia are highly suggested.
Longnecker DE, Newman MF, Brown DL, Zapol WM.
Anesthesiology. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2012: 1036-
1037.
