If a hiatus hernia has been diagnosed and a patient is symptomatic with retching, reflux, nausea or vomiting, early satiety and/or bloating they may benefit from hiatal hernia surgery.
The surgery is performed laparoscopically (keyhole) and involves repairing the defect in diaphragm which is causing the hiatus hernia. Often a part of the stomach or bottom part of the oesophagus has gone into the chest contributing to symptoms, as part of the procedure the stomach and distal oesophagus are bought back into the abdomen.
To lessen the chance of recurrence of symptoms a wrap is performed. This is where part of the stomach is wrapped around the lower part of the oesophagus.