Hiatus Hernia

Question 1

What is a hiatus hernia?

Answer 1

This refers to herniation of the stomach through the diaphragm
The diaphragm opening should be at the level of the lower oesophageal sphincter and should be fixed in place
The opening helps to maintain a narrow sphincter that stops acid and stomach contents refluxing into the oesophagus
When there is herniation and broadening of the diaphragm opening

Question 2

What symptoms do you get with a hiatus hernia?

Answer 2

The broadening of the diaphragm opening allows contents to reflux up into the oesophagus and give reflux symptoms

Question 3

What treatment is available?

Answer 3

Treatment is either conservative (with medical treatment of reflux) or surgical repair if high risk of complication or causing severe symptoms

Question 4

What is a sliding hiatus hernia?

Answer 4

The stomach slides up along with the oesophagus through the diaphragm

Question 5

What is a rolling hernia?

Answer 5

A separate portion of the stomach (i.e. the fundus), folds around and enters through the diaphragm opening along with the oesophagus