Treatment for a Hiatal Hernia
Hiatal hernia treatment may include lifestyle changes, medication and surgery. You doctor will discuss the best treatment options for your hiatal hernia based on multiple factors such as your general health and anatomy, the extent and location of your hiatal hernia, and the severity of your symptoms.
Lifestyle modifications include changing your eating habits such as eating smaller and more frequent meals, losing weight and stopping smoking.
Over-the-counter or prescribed stronger medications may be recommended to manage your hiatal hernia symptoms.
Hiatal hernia surgery may be advised if other hernia treatments have not worked and you continue to experience severe reflux problems or if there's a risk of serious complications. Keyhole surgery is usually used for a hiatus hernia. This involves making small cuts in your abdomen. Hiatal hernia surgery involves:
- Pulling your hiatal hernia back into your abdomen.
- Mending the valve at the bottom of your oesophagus.
- Closing the hole in your diaphragm muscle.
A laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) is the standard procedures to repair a hiatal hernia. It permanently relieves your hiatal hernia symptoms. During laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication surgery, your surgeon wraps your upper stomach (called the fundus) around the lower part your oesophagus to create a permanently tight sphincter that prevents your stomach from moving back into your chest.
The operation is performed under general anaesthetic and lasts for up to 90 minutes.
