Massive hiatal hernia in children.

Ten children had massive hiatal hernias repaired between January 1982 and February 1991. Their clinical presentation, association with other congenital abnormalities, and postoperative complications were different from those seen in adults. Vomiting (n = 7) and anaemia (n = 7) were the most common symptoms, followed by respiratory distress (n = 5), cough (n = 3), and regurgitation (n = 3). Abdominal pain was uncommon. The clinical diagnosis was confirmed in seven cases by barium meal examination. The most common operation was Nissen's fundoplication (n = 7); the hiatus alone was repaired in the remainder. Five patients developed postoperative complications and two died probably as a result of delay in diagnosis and associated malformations.