title: Para-oesophageal and parahiatal hernias in an Asian acute care tertiary hospital: an underappreciated surgical condition.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence of hiatal hernias and para-oesophageal hernias (PEHs) is lower in Asian populations than in Western populations. Progressive herniation can result in giant PEHs, which are associated with significant morbidity. This article presents the experience of an Asian acute care tertiary hospital in the management of giant PEH and parahiatal hernia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Surgical records dated between January 2003 and January 2013 from the Department of Surgery, Changi General Hospital, Singapore, were retrospectively reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ten patients underwent surgical repair for giant PEH or parahiatal hernia during the study period. Open surgery was performed for four patients with giant PEH who presented emergently, while elective laparoscopic repair was performed for six patients with either giant PEH or parahiatal hernia (which were preoperatively diagnosed as PEH). Anterior 180° partial fundoplication was performed in eight patients, and mesh reinforcement was used in six patients. The electively repaired patients had minimal or no symptoms during presentation. Gastric volvulus was observed in five patients. There were no cases of mortality. The median follow-up duration was 16.3 months. There were no cases of mesh erosion, complaints of dysphagia or recurrence of PEH in all patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Giant PEH and parahiatal hernia are underdiagnosed in Asia. Most patients with giant PEH or parahiatal hernia are asymptomatic; they often present emergently or are incidentally diagnosed. Although surgical outcomes are favourable even with a delayed diagnosis, there should be greater emphasis on early diagnosis and elective repair of these hernias.
authors.affiliation: Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery Service, Department of Surgery, Changi General Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: Ye Xin
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Koh
authors.affiliation: Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery Service, Department of Surgery, Changi General Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: Lester Wei Lin
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Ong
authors.affiliation: Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery Service, Department of Surgery, Changi General Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: June
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery Service, Department of Surgery, Changi General Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: Andrew Siang Yih
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006551:Hernia, Hiatal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012846:Singapore; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: gastric volvulus; laparoscopy; para-oesophageal hernia; parahiatal hernia