Paraesophageal hiatus hernia in the aged.

A review of the records of Granada Hills Hospital revealed 4 documented cases of paraesophageal hiatus hernia. One of these geriatric patients presented with incarceration of the gastric fundus, and required an emergency thoracotomy for relief. Paraesophageal hiatus hernia, unlike sliding hiatal hernia, often gives rise to acute surgical problems secondary to incarceration, obstruction, gangrene, perforation or hemorrhage. The approach to the repair operation, may be either abdominal or thoracic, dependent upon the need to correct other associated gastrointestinal pathologic lesions. Unless severe debilitating medical diseases are present, operative intervention is recommended.