Robotic Hiatal Hernia Repair

Hiatal hernias present a clinical and anatomical entity that must be fully appreciated for safe and effective management. They are an uncommon form of hiatal hernia that present clinically in the population of patients over 65 years of age. The most common symptomatic presentations of a paraesophageal hernia (PEH) include dysphagia, regurgitation, gastroesophageal reflux, dyspnea, chest or epigastric pain or pressure, and anemia. Robotic repair of a paraesophageal hernia is an efficient and ergonomic approach to this challenging anatomical problem. Added precision and extended accessibility and visualization of the thorax from an abdominal approach makes the robotic repair a preferred surgical method. Paraesophageal hernia repair may be performed via a trans-thoracic or trans-abdominal approach. Open, laparoscopic, and robotic techniques may be applied.