Hiatal hernia

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A hiatus hernia ("diaphragmatic hernia") is a pathological passage of parts of the stomach through the diaphragm in the area of ​​the slit for the passage of the esophagus (hiatus oesophageus). It belongs to the diaphragmatic hernias .

Classification according to ICD-10
K44.0 Diaphragmatic hernia with obstruction, without gangrene
K44.1 Diaphragmatic hernia with gangrene
K44.9 Diaphragmatic hernia without entrapment and without gangrene
ICD-10 online (WHO version 2019)

Normal position

Anatomically normal, the esophagus runs through the chest cavity from the throat to the diaphragm (see figure, letter A). There, the lowest part of the esophagus passes through the diaphragm and into the abdomen. The esophagus joins the stomach directly below the diaphragm. The so-called lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which prevents the stomach contents from flowing back into the esophagus, is located at this junction . In the normal anatomical situation, this locking mechanism is supported by the muscle tension of the diaphragm.

Hiatal hernia
Green is the esophagus, red is the diaphragm, black is the stomach, and blue is the angle of His.
A is anatomically normal, B is a cardiofundal malposition, C is an axial hernia, D is a paraesophageal hiatal hernia

to form

Cardiofundal malposition

Hiatal hernia in lateral chest x-ray, arrow pointing to air-liquid level in the stomach

There are different variants of the hiatal hernia: The cardiofundal malposition (see figure, letter B) is the lightest form and is a frequent incidental finding in gastroscopy. In this malformation, the cardia ligament, which connects the stomach with the diaphragm, is loosened. In medical and anatomical terms , the cardiofundal malposition is characterized by an obtuse esophagogastric angle (= His 's angle) (unlike the anatomical norm, in which this angle is acute, see illustration). Clinically, this condition only causes symptoms in the rarest of cases.

Axial hernia

The axial hernia (see figure, letter C) - also called sliding fracture - is the most common form of hiatal hernia with 90%. The uppermost part of the stomach passes through the diaphragm up into the chest cavity (as in the case of a hernia of the diaphragm, for example ). In this pathological situation, the lower occlusion of the esophagus can no longer be supported by the diaphragm. This can lead to reflux, i.e. the stomach contents flowing back into the esophagus. This can lead to reflux esophagitis (heartburn), among other things . However, even with this form, 90% of those affected are symptom-free and do not require any further therapy.

The frequency of sliding hernias increases with age; more than half of those over fifty are affected.

Paraesophageal hiatal hernia

The paraesophageal hiatal hernia (see figure, letter D) is characterized by the anatomically correct position of the lower esophageal sphincter (sphincter of the esophagus) and its unrestricted function. However, part of the stomach pushes into the chest cavity from below. In the extreme form of this hiatal hernia, the entire stomach can also lie above the diaphragm (upside-down stomach or chest stomach ). In the clinical course, the paraesophageal hiatal hernia begins with an asymptomatic stage. This is followed by the uncomplicated stage, with belching and a feeling of pressure in the heart area. These symptoms mainly occur after eating. Then it comes to the complication stage with passage disturbances, incarcerations , ulcers and anemia due to chronic bleeding.

There are also various forms of mixed hernias. In general, the formation of hiatal hernias is favored by lack of exercise and obesity .

Stomach volvulus can occur as a rare complication .

therapy

The heartburn is often proton pump inhibitor combated with drugs. The various forms of this hernia can be treated with healing (curative) surgery. The operations are carried out according to two method principles:

  1. the (partial or complete) fundoplication , the formation of a stomach cuff around the entrance of the stomach. It is minimally invasive as a laparoscopic fundoplication, relatively low in risk and with few complications .
  2. the gastropexy . It consists in shifting the stomach into a normal position (repositioning) and attaching (fixation) the stomach to the anterior abdominal wall.

Under certain circumstances, both operating principles are used at the same time.

See also

swell

  • Gerd Herold: Internal Medicine . Self-published by Herold, Cologne 2005.

Web links

Commons : Hiatal Hernia  - Collection of pictures, videos, and audio files