Hiatus hernia natural history, complications and prognosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Amandeep Singh M.D.[2]

The symptoms of a hiatus hernia usually develop in the first decade of life in children and start with symptoms such as vomiting, heartburn, regurgitation, and dysphagia. If left untreated, patients with a hiatus hernia may progress to develop strangulation, esophageal adenocarcinoma, and gastric volvulus. Prognosis is generally excellent and recovery after surgery in a large hernia is approximately 90%. The disease is well controlled with medical therapy but not cured.

• The symptoms of a hiatus hernia usually develop in the first decade of life in children and start with symptoms such as vomiting, heartburn, regurgitation, and dysphagia.^[1]
• If left untreated, patients with a hiatus hernia may progress to develop strangulation, esophageal adenocarcinoma, and gastric volvulus.^[2]

• Common complications of hiatus hernia include:
  • Anemia from bleeding from erosions caused by reflux esophagitis^[3]
  • Esophageal adenocarcinoma^[2]
  • Gastric volvulus and perforation in paraesopahgeal type^[4]
  • Strangulation in paraesophageal hernia

• Prognosis is generally excellent and recovery after surgery in a large hernia is approximately 90%.^[5]
• The disease is well controlled with medical therapy but not cured.