Massive gastric dilatation leading to acute respiratory distress 1 year after a Nissen fundoplication

Abstract

Acute massive gastric dilatation (AMGD) is a recognised complication after Nissen fundoplication.1 A 63-year-old man recently presented to our emergency department in acute respiratory distress, acute abdominal pain and distension, having had an elective umbilical port incisional hernia repair a day prior. In the year preceding his presentation, the patient had undergone a laparoscopic paraoesophageal hiatus hernia repair and excision of sac, posterior cruropexy, dual mesh reinforcement of repair and 360° fundoplication, as a day case. In between these two events, the patient was asymptomatic, and had a free diet with no further medical or surgical intervention. We hereby present successful management and discuss implications of this exceptional yet potentially life-threatening complication.