Incarcerated paraoesophageal hernia complicated with distal oesophageal perforation: a combined laparoscopic and endoscopic approach

Abstract

Paraoesophageal hernias are common, but symptoms are not always present nor pathognomonic of this condition, and patients may be suffering for many years before a diagnosis is made. Incarceration and strangulation are rare, but they are life-threatening complications, warranting an emergent surgical repair. Hiatal hernia incarceration causing distal oesophagus perforation is even rarer. To our knowledge, this is the first case report in adult patients. Despite many advances in care, a high grade of suspicion is needed to diagnose this condition, and the mortality rate for an oesophageal perforation remains high, achieving 50% in some series. We present the surgical management of a case of hiatal hernia incarceration with distal oesophagus perforation by combined laparoscopy and upper endoscopy.