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paraesophageal hernia

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Posted 7/1/2012 8:21 PM (GMT 0)

i have a giant paraesophageal hernia... type 4...stomach and intestines in the chest cavity...surgery is in three weeks....just went thru type 2 hernia surgery with a friend....miserable...scared the dickens outta me...mine is worse....but had to stand by my friend in time of need...haven't told her that it kinda feaked me out because then she would worry about me on top of her own recovcery...but it has raised questions...my stomach is way up inside the chest cavity...has anyone expeienced the open surgery on top of the laprascope?  the docotr thinks it is a strong possibility...after being with friend thru recovery, what can i expect...i have watched the fundiplication online...when does it become open surgery...?  granny b

Posted 7/2/2012 2:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hi granny b,

Welcome to the Healing Well yeah yeah yeah Wrapped Club! yeah   yeah   yeah Here's a link to my early recovery journal, so you can get an idea of what the recovery might be like:

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=2183443

If you search for "paraesophageal hernia" in the upper right hand corner of the forum page, you can find other threads and posts on the topic.  There are many here who've had that surgery, and you can read about their experiences.

Pretty much all surgeons tell their patients that there is a possibility that their surgery might be switched to an open procedure.  That happens when it becomes too difficult to do the procedure laproscopically.  In many cases it's because the field of view is obscured, or the procedure is too extensive or difficult to do laproscopically.

Bill, a moderator here, has had to have his Nissen redone.  His most recent Nissen was done as an open procedure, and he didn't find it much different at all as far as healing goes.  He did have to remain in the hospital longer with the open procedure.  Often laproscopic Nissens only require an overnight stay.

Again, glad you've joined the forum!

We're here to support you and provide any information we can. Let us know how things progress.  Don't worry...you'll do just fine!

Best wishes,

Denise

 

Posted 7/3/2012 6:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Granny,

I've assisted in this kind of surgery, so I've seen it from the other side. Basically it becomes an open procedure when it becomes too difficult to do laparoscopically. Using those small port sites your instruments range of motion is limited and sometimes the surgeon just can't do what they need to without making a bigger hole and getting hands on. The recovery is more painful than laparoscopic because there is a bigger incision and so more to heal, but sometimes what needs to be done just can't be done without going open. It doesn't mean your outcome will be worse, although there will be a little higher risk of complications. However, it sounds like a repair might be worth it for you. Having your stomach above the diaphragm can pinch it off and cause damage to it's structure, as well as making digestion harder. Your stomach isn't meant to be folded in half and intestines are delicate. Having things bunched up can block them off and then you have a major problem that could become an emergency. Your doctor knows more about your particular situation of course, but this is the gist of it. It's certainly a major surgery, but most people do well with it. Good luck :)
Posted 8/2/2012 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Granny,
I wondered how your surgery went? How are faring after your open surgery? I have much the same diagnosis as you, type 4 hernia,with entire stomach and part of colon up into my chest. My surgeon also wants to do an open procedure, though I have read more and more that laparopscopic is the way to go. Still so hesitant about doing this, as I am asymptomatic now and am thinking I will have all sorts of issues to contend with afterwards. I still have teen kids at home, so I need to be up and back to normal quickly. I would love to hear how your doing.

Deb
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