Background In 2006, we reported results of a randomized trial of laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair (LPEHR), comparing primary diaphragm repair (PR) with primary repair buttressed with a ...biologic prosthesis (small intestinal submucosa SIS). The primary endpoint, radiologic hiatal hernia (HH) recurrence, was higher with PR (24%) than with SIS buttressed repair (9%) after 6 months. The second phase of this trial was designed to determine the long-term durability of biologic mesh-buttressed repair. Methods We systematically searched for the 108 patients in phase I of this study to assess current clinical symptoms, quality of life (QOL) and determine ongoing durability of the repair by obtaining a follow-up upper gastrointestinal series (UGI) read by 2 radiologists blinded to treatment received. HH recurrence was defined as the greatest measured vertical height of stomach being at least 2 cm above the diaphragm. Results At median follow-up of 58 months (range 42 to 78 mo), 10 patients had died, 26 patients were not found, 72 completed clinical follow-up (PR, n = 39; SIS, n = 33), and 60 repeated a UGI (PR, n = 34; SIS, n = 26). There were 20 patients (59%) with recurrent HH in the PR group and 14 patients (54%) with recurrent HH in the SIS group (p = 0.7). There was no statistically significant difference in relevant symptoms or QOL between patients undergoing PR and SIS buttressed repair. There were no strictures, erosions, dysphagia, or other complications related to the use of SIS mesh. Conclusions LPEHR results in long and durable relief of symptoms and improvement in QOL with PR or SIS. There does not appear to be a higher rate of complications or side effects with biologic mesh, but its benefit in reducing HH recurrence diminishes at long-term follow-up (more than 5 years postoperatively) or earlier.
Background The position of the gastroesophageal junction is maintained by a complex of fibroelastic ligaments. The purpose of this study was to characterize and compare the histology of these ...ligaments in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernia (HH) versus GERD alone, with emphasis on the elastin morphology. Study Design Thirteen patients were examined at the time of laparoscopic fundoplication for symptomatic GERD; nine had no significant HH and four had large diaphragmatic hernias (GERD/HH). Tissue biopsies were obtained from the gastrohepatic ligament (GHL, n = 5 and n = 3, GERD and GERD/HH, respectively), the phrenoesophageal ligament (n = 7 and n = 4, respectively), and the gastrophrenic ligament (n = 6 and n = 4, respectively). Sections of fixed tissue were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, and resorcin-fuchsin for analysis of elastic fibers by light microscopy, and elastin area was quantified and expressed as a percentage of the imaged tissue. Results Elastin and collagen fibers were prominent in all ligaments in patients with GERD alone. In patients with GERD/HH, there was fragmentation and distortion of elastin in the phrenoesophageal ligament and gastrohepatic ligament, and to a lesser degree, in the gastrophrenic ligament. Compared with patients with GERD alone, the presence of hiatal hernia was associated with a reduction in elastin area by more than 50% in the phrenoesophageal ligament (mean ± SEM 31.0% ± 3.3% versus 15.1% ± 1.3%, p < 0.01) and gastrohepatic ligament (26.9% ± 0.5% versus 12.5% ± 0.1%, p < 0.008). There was no decrease with respect to elastin in the gastrophrenic ligament. Conclusions The periesophageal ligaments in patients with GERD are characterized by prominent elastic fibers. In contrast, GERD/HH is associated with depletion of elastic fibers in two of three ligaments supporting the gastroesophageal junction. Elastic fiber depletion in the periesophageal ligaments thereby provides a structural basis for the development of HH. It remains unclear if this represents a primary (etiologic) alteration or if it is a secondary phenomenon.
Reply Oelschlager, Brant K., MD, FACS; Pellegrini, Carlos A., MD, FACS; Mitsumori, Lee M., MD ...
Journal of the American College of Surgeons,
2012, Letnik:
215, Številka:
1
Journal Article
