I have a hiatus hernia that requires keyhole surgery

Treatment for inguinal hernia

What exercises can be done with a hernia?

Question
I have been diagnosed as having a hiatus hernia that requires keyhole surgery. Could you explain what this procedure entails?

Answer
A hiatus hernia is not like other hernias. It is really the stomach slipping up through the hole in the diaphragm where it joins the gullet.

When this happens acid rolls back from the stomach (where it is supposed to be) and into the gullet (where it isn't supposed to be). This is what causes the pain.

There are a number of different procedures that the surgeon can use.

If they are doing it through a small incision, then it is likely that they will be tightening the hole in the diaphragm to make it more difficult for the stomach to slip through.

Yours sincerely

Dr Bob Leckridge, GP