Trends in outcomes of 862 giant hiatus hernia repairs over 30 years.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic giant hiatus hernia repair is technically difficult with ongoing debate regarding the most effective surgical technique. Repair of small hernia has been well described but data for giant hernia is variable. This study evaluated trends in outcomes of laparoscopic non-mesh repair of giant paraesophageal hernia (PEH) over 30 years. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of a single-surgeon prospective database. Laparoscopic non-mesh repairs for giant PEH between 1991 and 2021 included. Three-hundred-sixty-degree fundoplication was performed routinely, evolving into "composite repair" (esophagopexy and cardiopexy to the right crus). Cases were chronologically divided into tertiles based on operation date (Group 1, 1991-2002; Group 2, 2003-2012; Group 3, 2012-2021) with trends in casemix, operative factors and outcomes evaluated. Hernia recurrence was plotted using weighted moving average and cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis. RESULTS: 862 giant PEH repairs met selection criteria. There was an increasing proportion of "composite repair" after the first decade (Group 1, 2.7%; Group 2, 81.9%; Group 3, 100%; p < 0.001). There were less anatomical hernia recurrence (Group 1, 36.6%; Group 2, 22.9%; Group 3, 22.7%; p < 0.001) and symptomatic recurrence (Group 1, 34.2%; Group 2, 21.9%; Group 3, 7%; p < 0.001) over time. The incidence of anatomical recurrence declined over time, decreasing from 30.8% and plateauing below 17.6% near the study's end. Median followup (months) in the first decade was higher but followup between the latter two decades comparable (Group 1, 49 [IQR 20, 81]; Group 2, 30 [IQR 15, 65]; Group 3, 24 [14, 56]; p < 0.001). There were 10 (1.2%) Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ III complications including two perioperative deaths (0.2%). CONCLUSION: Hernia recurrence rates decreased with increasing case volume. This coincided with the increasing adoption of "composite repair", supporting the possible improvement in recurrence rates with this approach.

Dyspnoea improves following composite repair of giant paraoesophageal hernia.

INTRODUCTION: Paraoesophageal hernias (PEH) are often symptomatic and can lead to life-threatening complications such as volvulus and ischaemia. Dyspnoea is one of the most prevalent symptoms of giant hiatus herniae. The primary outcome of this study is resolution of dyspnoea following composite repair of giant paraoesophageal hernia. Secondary outcomes include complications of surgery, hernia recurrence rates and effect of recurrence on dyspnoea. METHODS: Data were extracted from a prospectively maintained single-surgeon database containing records of all patients undergoing composite repair of paraoesophageal hernia. Patients presenting with dyspnoea who underwent composite laparoscopic repair of giant (>30% of stomach above diaphragm) paraoesophageal hernia between March 2009 and December 2015 were included. RESULTS: Inclusion criteria were met by 154 patients. The mean age at time of surgery was 71.2 years (range 49-93, SD 9.66) with an average BMI of 28 (range 19-38kg/m2, SD 4.1). On average hernia contained 64% of stomach (range 30-100%, SD 20.2). One procedure was converted to laparotomy. Surgery resulted in near complete resolution of dyspnoea (2.6% postoperatively, p<0.001). Recurrence rate was 24% and was not associated with persistent dyspnoea. There was one death and two significant complications. CONCLUSION: Dyspnoea resolves following laparoscopic repair of giant paraoesophageal hernia. The presence of dyspnoea in patients with known large paraoesophageal hernia should be regarded as an indication for referral to a surgical service with expertise in hiatal hernia management.

High incidence of dyspnoea and pulmonary aspiration in giant hiatus hernia: a previously unrecognised cause of dyspnoea.

INTRODUCTION: Dyspnoea is common in patients with giant paraoesophageal hernia (PEH). Pulmonary aspiration has not previously been recognised as a significant contributory factor. Aspiration pneumonia in association with both gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and PEH has a high mortality rate. There is debate about routine anti-reflux measures with surgical repair. Reflux aspiration has been examined in a consecutive cohort using scintigraphic scanning and symptoms. METHODS: Reflux aspiration scintigraphy (RASP) results and symptoms were evaluated in consecutive patients with PEH managed in our service between January 2012 and March 2017. RESULTS: PEH was diagnosed in 96 patients. Preoperative reflux pulmonary scanning was performed in 70 patients: 54 were female (77.1%) and the mean age was 68 years (range 49-85). Dyspnoea was the most common symptom (77.1%), and a symptomatic history of aspiration was seen in 18 patients (25.7%). Clinical aspiration was confirmed by RASP in 13 of these cases. Silent RASP aspiration occurred in a further 27 patients without clinical symptoms. RASP was negative in five patients with clinical symptoms of aspiration. No aspiration by either criterion was present in 27 patients. Dysphagia was negatively related to aspiration on RASP (p<0.01), whereas dyspnoea was not (p=0.857). CONCLUSION: GORD, dyspnoea and silent pulmonary aspiration are frequent occurrences in the presence of giant PEH. Subjective aspiration was the most specific and positive predictor of pulmonary aspiration. Dyspnoea in PEH patients may be caused by pulmonary aspiration, cardiac compression and gas trapping. The high rate of pulmonary aspiration in PEH patients may support anti-reflux repair.

Preoperative cisplatin, fluorouracil, and docetaxel with or without radiotherapy after poor early response to cisplatin and fluorouracil for resectable oesophageal adenocarcinoma (AGITG DOCTOR): results from a multicentre, randomised controlled phase II trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients with oesophageal/gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (EAC) not showing early metabolic response (EMR) to chemotherapy have poorer survival and histological response rates <5%. We investigated whether tailoring neoadjuvant therapy can improve outcomes in these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with resectable EAC were enrolled and randomised into two single-arm, multicentre phase II trials. After induction cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (CF), all were assessed by day 15 positron emission tomography (PET). Patients with an EMR [maximum standardised uptake values (SUVmax) ≥35% reduction from baseline to day 15 PET] received a second CF cycle then oesophagectomy. Non-responders were randomised 1 : 1 to two cycles of CF and docetaxel (DCF, n = 31) or DCF + 45 Gy radiotherapy (DCFRT, n = 35) then oesophagectomy. The primary end point was major histological response (<10% residual tumour) in the oesophagectomy specimen; secondary end points were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and locoregional recurrence (LR). RESULTS: Of 124 patients recruited, major histological response was achieved in 3/45 (7%) with EMR, 6/30 (20%) DCF, and 22/35 (63%) DCFRT patients. Grade 3/4 toxicities occurred in 12/45 (27%) EMR (CF), 13/31 (42%) DCF, and 25/35 (71%) DCFRT patients. No treatment-related deaths occurred. LR by 3 years was seen in 5/45 (11%) EMR, 10/31 (32%) DCF, and 4/35 (11%) DCFRT patients. PFS [95% confidence interval (CI)] at 36 months was 47% (31% to 61%) for EMR, 29% (15% to 45%) for DCF, and 46% (29% to 61%) for DCFRT patients. OS (95% CI) at 60 months was 53% (37% to 67%) for EMR, 31% (16% to 48%) for DCF, and 46% (29% to 61%) for DCFRT patients. CONCLUSIONS: EMR is associated with favourable OS, PFS, and low LR. For non-responders, the addition of docetaxel augmented histological response rates, but OS, PFS, and LR remained inferior compared with responders. DCFRT improved histological response and PFS/LR outcomes, matching the EMR group. Early PET/CT has the potential to tailor therapy for patients not showing an early response to chemotherapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN12609000665235.

Gastro-oesophageal fistula in an achalasia patient following myotomy as an unusual cause of heartburn.

We report a case of delayed presentation of a gastro-oesophageal fistula following a Heller myotomy and anterior fundoplication for achalasia in a 28-year-old man. After a period of symptom resolution following initial operation, dysphagia and severe heartburn commenced temporarily, related to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use. Endoscopy demonstrated a secondary opening in the lower oesophagus and a barium swallow showed an oesophageal fistula to the stomach. Currently, reasonable symptom control has been obtained on double dose pantoprazole. Barium study best demonstrated the abnormality. NSAIDs should possibly be avoided in cases of severe dysmotility of the oesophagus.

A Novel Technique of Paravertebral Thoracic and Preperitoneal Analgesia Enhances Early Recovery After Oesophagectomy.

BACKGROUND: Excellent analgesia following oesophagectomy facilitates patient comfort, early extubation, physiotherapy and mobilisation, reduces post-operative complications and should enhance recovery. Thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA), the gold standard analgesic regimen for this procedure, is often associated with systemic hypotension treated with inotropes or fluid. This may compromise enhanced recovery and be complicated by anastomotic ischaemia or tissue oedema. METHODS: We report a novel analgesic regimen to reduce post-operative inotrope usage. Infusion of ropivicaine via bilateral preperitoneal and right paravertebral catheters was used. Patient-controlled epidural pethidine provided rescue analgesia (WC) (n = 21). A retrospective audit of inotrope requirement, mean pain scores, episodes of respiratory depression and excessive sedation, need for reintubation, reoperation in the first 5 post-operative days, time to mobilisation, time in intensive care, time in hospital and 30-day mortality were measured. These results were compared with those of an earlier patient group who received a thoracic epidural infusion of low-dose local anaesthetic and fentanyl (TEA) (n = 21). RESULTS: Inotrope use was reduced by 29% in the WC group (p = 0.03) and the mean intensive care stay reduced by 2.4 days (p = 0.03), as was reintubation rate (p = 0.01) and early mobilisation (p = 0.03). The pain score was comparable in both groups, and there was no difference in the other outcomes examined. CONCLUSION: The data demonstrated that it was possible to provide excellent post-oesophagectomy analgesia equivalent to thoracic epidural infusions of local anaesthetic with reduction in inotrope requirements, intensive care stay, more rapid mobilisation, facilitating enhanced recovery.

Temporal patterns of hiatus hernia recurrence and hiatal failure: quality of life and recurrence after revision surgery.

Antireflux and paraesophageal hernia repair surgery is increasingly performed and there is an increased requirement for revision hiatus hernia surgery. There are no reports on the changes in types of failures and/or the variations in location of crural defects over time following primary surgery and limited reports on the outcomes of revision surgery. The aim of this study is to report the changes in types of hernia recurrence and location of crural defects following primary surgery, to test our hypothesis of the temporal events leading to hiatal recurrence and aid prevention. Quality of life scores following revision surgery are also reported, in one of the largest and longest follow-up series in revision hiatus surgery. Review of a single-surgeon database of all revision hiatal surgery between 1992 and 2015. The type of recurrence and the location of crural defect were noted intraoperatively. Recurrence was diagnosed on gastroscopy and/or contrast study. Quality of life outcomes were measured using Visick, dysphagia, atypical reflux symptoms, satisfaction scores, and Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI). Two-hundred eighty four patients (126 male, 158 female), median age 60.8(48.2-69.1), underwent revision hiatal surgery. Median follow-up following primary surgery was 122.8(75.3-180.3) and 91.6(40.5-152.5) months after revision surgery. The most common type of hernia recurrence in the early period after primary surgery was 'telescope'(42.9%), but overall, fundoplication apparatus transhiatal migration was consistently the predominant type of recurrence at 1-3 years (54.3%), 3-5 years (42.5%), 5-10 years (45.1%), and >10 years (44.1%). The location of crural defects changed over duration following primary surgery as anteroposterior defects was most common in the early period (45.5% in <1 year) but decreased over time (30.3% at 1-3 years) while anterior defects increased in the long term with 35.9%, 40%, and 42.2% at 3-5 years, 5-10 years, and >10 years, respectively. Revision surgery intraoperative morbidity was 19.7%, mainly gastric (9.5%) and esophageal (2.1%) perforation. There was a 75% follow-up rate and recurrence following revision surgery was 15.4%(44/284) in unscreened population and 21%(44/212) in screened population. There was no difference in recurrence rate based on size of hiatus hernia at primary surgery, or at revision surgery. There were significant improvements in the Visick score (3.3 vs. 2.4), the modified Dakkak score (23.2 vs. 15.4), the atypical reflux symptom score (23.7 vs. 15.4), and satisfaction scores (0.9 vs. 2.2), but no difference in the various domains (symptom, physical, social, and medical) of the GIQLI scores following revision surgery. Revision hiatal surgery has higher intraoperative morbidity but may achieve adequate long-term satisfaction and quality of life. The most common type of early recurrence following primary surgery is telescoping, and overall is wrap herniation. Anterior crural defects may be strong contributor to late hiatus hernia recurrence. Symptom-specific components of GIQLI, but not the overall GIQLI score, may be required to detect improvements in QOL.

Fundoplication for laryngopharyngeal reflux despite preoperative dysphagia.

INTRODUCTION Fundoplication for laryngopharyngeal disease with oesophageal dysmotility has led to mixed outcomes. In the presence of preoperative dysphagia and oesophageal dysmotility, this procedure has engendered concern in certain regards. METHODS This paper describes a consecutive series of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) patients with a high frequency of dysmotility. Patients were selected for surgery with 24-hour dual channel pH monitoring, oesophageal manometry and standardised reflux scintigraphy. RESULTS Following careful patient selection, 33 patients underwent fundoplication by laparoscopy. Surgery had high efficacy in symptom control and there was no adverse dysphagia. CONCLUSIONS Evidence of proximal reflux can select a group of patients for good results of fundoplication for atypical symptoms.

Gastrointestinal tract obstruction secondary to post-operative oedema: does dexamethasone administration help?

Oedema can occur in handled tissues following upper gastrointestinal surgery with anastomosis formation. Obstruction of the lumen may result in delayed return of enteric function. Intravenous steroid use may be beneficial. Three cases of delayed emptying following fundoplication, gastro-enteric and entero-enteric anastomoses are reviewed. Conservative management with supportive measures failed. Dexamethasone was administered to treat the oedematous obstruction. A literature review in PubMed, Cochrane database and Medline for English language publications on the use of dexamethasone in the treatment of acute post surgical oedema of the upper gastrointestinal was conducted. Administration of dexamethasone led to resolution of symptoms and successful outcome. No reports on the use of steroids in this context were identified in the literature. The use of dexamethasone may effectively treat intestinal obstruction due to inflammatory or oedematous cause in the early post-operative period.

Medium-term durability of giant hiatus hernia repair without mesh.

Introduction This is the second report on objective review of 100 patients who underwent composite fundoplication-cardiopexy for repair of giant hiatus hernia (GHH) at a median of 24 months following surgery. Outcomes were objective follow-up by endoscopy and quality of life (QoL) by Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI), modified Visick scores and dysphagia scores. The initial report for this cohort suggested a low objective recurrence rate (9%) and substantial improvements in QoL indices. Methods The rate of hernia recurrence was assessed with Kaplan-Meier analysis and covariates were analysed with the Cox proportional hazards model. Paired t-tests and related samples Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to compare QoL scores. Unpaired data were compared with the independent samples t-test and Mann-Whitney U test. Results Objective review was obtained in 97% of the patients. There were five recurrences of hernias that had a vertical height of >2cm from the diaphragmatic hiatus, with three patients requiring reoperation for severe dysphagia. Small recurrences (<2cm) occurred in 20 patients. The median time to recurrence was 40 months (95% confidence interval: 34-46 months). At two years, recurrence of any size had occurred in 24% of cases. At follow-up review (median: 27 months), the mean GIQLI score was 109 (p=0.279), the median modified Visick score was 2 (p=0.954) and the median dysphagia score was 41 (p=0.623). There was no evidence that the GIQLI score (p=0.089), the modified Visick score (p=0.339) or the dysphagia score (p=0.445) changed significantly after recurrence. Conclusions There was a sustained improvement in overall QoL and reflux scores after GHH repair. QoL scores showed persistent improvement in reflux and overall health, even in the subgroup with recurrence. The majority (80%) of recurrences were small and recurrent herniation did not appear to significantly change QoL. The rates of recurrence and QoL are comparable with those for other methods of repair.

Recurrence after composite repair of a giant hiatus hernia: 'the golf club' deformity is a distinctive clinical and radiological picture.

Background Recurrence of a hiatus hernia after cardiopexy repair can obstruct the lower oesophagus but also provide characteristic radiographic images after a barium meal. Case History Two patients with recurrence of a hiatus hernia underwent repeat surgery. Here, we provide and discuss diagnostic imaging, surgical findings and outcome for these male and female patients. Conclusions Repeat surgery is indicated in patients with recurrence of a hiatus hernia after repair.

Chlyous leak after radical oesophagectomy: Thoracic duct lymphangiography and embolisation (TDE)-A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Chyle leak after oesophagectomy is highly morbid and may carry significant mortality if treatment is delayed. Identification of the site of leakage and surgery may be plagued by failure. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We describe a case of chyle leak after oesophagectomy. Lymphangiography revealed the site of chyle leak to be an aberrant duct that would have been difficult to identify surgically. Radiological coiling and embolization successfully treated the leak. DISCUSSION: The gold standard for treatment of chyle leak or chylothorax after oesophagectomy was a re-operation, either open or throracoscopic, to ligate the thoracic duct. The interventional radiological technique employed in our case was not only efficacious in stopping the leak, but had the added advantage of identifying the site and highlighting the anatomy hence avoiding a morbid reoperation. The literature is reviewed. CONCLUSION: The report and review confirm that lymphangiography followed by coiling and embolization for chylothorax post oesophagectomy is safe and effective in a majority of cases.

High rate of common bile duct stones and postoperative abscess following percutaneous cholecystostomy.

INTRODUCTION: The short and long-term outcomes in patients managed with percutaneous cholecystostomy (PCY) at a single institution are described. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted for patients treated between February 2000 and November 2012. Patient charts, imaging and biochemical data were reviewed. Patient demographics, presenting clinical features and treatment variables were noted. Outcome variables were length of admission, 30-day mortality, 30-day unplanned readmission, tube dislodgement, abscess formation, subsequent endoscopic retrograde cholangiography and surgery, complications after surgery and median overall survival. RESULTS: PCY was performed for 55 patients for acute cholecystitis where surgical risk was very high. The 30-day readmission rate was 20% (n=11), the 30-day mortality rate was 9% (n=5) and median survival was 59 months (95% confidence interval: 30-88 months). The median follow-up duration was 68 months. Tubes were dislodged in 15 patients (27%) and an abscess occurred after PCY in 5 patients (9%). Subsequent endoscopic common bile duct stone extraction was required in 20 patients (36%). Cholecystectomy was planned in 22 patients and an abscess occurred following the cholecystectomy in 5 (23%). CONCLUSIONS: Although a PCY is lifesaving, significant morbidity can arise during recovery. This study demonstrates a high rate of choledocholithiasis (44%), tube dislodgement (27%) and postoperative abscess (23%) compared with previous reports.

Durability of giant hiatus hernia repair in 455 patients over 20 years.

INTRODUCTION: The surgical management of symptomatic giant hiatus hernia (GHH) aims to improve quality of life (QoL) and reduce the risk of life threatening complications. Previous reports are predominantly those with small sample sizes and short follow-up periods. The present study sought to assess a large cohort of patients for recurrence and QoL over a longer time period. METHODS: This was a follow-up study of a prospectively collected database of 455 consecutive patients. Primary repair of GHH was evaluated by endoscopy/barium meal for recurrence and a standardised symptom questionnaire for QoL. Recurrence was assessed for size, elapsed time, oesophagitis and symptoms. RESULTS: Objective and subjective review was achieved in 91.9% and 68.6% of patients. The median age was 69 years (range: 15-93 years) and 64% were female. Laparoscopic repair was completed in 95% (mesh in 6% and Collis gastroplasty in 7%). The 30-day mortality rate was 0.9%. The proportion of patients alive at five and ten years were 90% and 75% respectively. Postoperative QoL scores improved from a mean of 95 to 111 (p<0.01) and were stable over time (112 at 10 years). The overall recurrence rate was 35.6% (149/418) at 42 months; this was 11.5% (48/418) for hernias >2cm and 24.2% (101/418) for <2cm. The rate of new recurrence at 0-1 years was 13.7% (>2cm = 3.4%, <2cm = 10.3%), at 1-5 years it was 30.8% (>2cm = 9.5%, <2cm = 21.3%), at 5-10 years it was 40.1% (>2cm = 13.8%, <2cm = 26.3%) and at over 10 years it was 50.0% (>2cm = 25.0%, <2cm = 25.0%). Recurrence was associated with oesophagitis but not decreased QoL. Revision surgery was required in 4.8% of cases (14.8% with recurrence). There were no interval major GHH complications. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery has provided sustained QoL improvements irrespective of recurrence. Recurrence occurred progressively over ten years and may predispose to oesophagitis.

Surgical tension pneumothorax during laparoscopic repair of massive hiatus hernia: a different situation requiring different management.

During laparoscopic repair of massive hiatus hernia, surgical dissection can breach the parietal pleura allowing insufflating carbon dioxide to rapidly expand the pleural space, causing a tension pneumothorax. This extrapulmonary pneumothorax involves no damage to the lung parenchyma. Its rapid resolution is aided by the high solubility of carbon dioxide and it will not refill once the procedure is completed. In this series of 50 massive hiatus hernia repairs the incidence of pneumothorax was 22% (11/50), with two of these being bilateral. Cardiovascular compromise occurred in 91% of those (10/11). The aetiology, pathophysiology and management of this intraoperative capnothorax differ significantly from that of a pneumothorax secondary to lung trauma or occurring during other types of laparoscopy. Understanding the relevant pleural anatomy and pathophysiology of this condition allowed conservative management in all cases and avoided the need for chest drains, open surgery or abandonment of the procedure.

Does systematic 2-field lymphadenectomy for esophageal malignancy offer a survival advantage? Results from 178 consecutive patients.

More extensive resection for esophageal cancer has been reported to improve survival in several series. We compared results from an unselected consecutive cohort of patients undergoing radical esophagectomy, including removal of all periesophageal tissue with a 2-field abdominal and mediastinal lymphadenectomy for esophageal and gastroesophageal malignancy. A prospective electronic database was reviewed for patients with esophageal malignancy undergoing an open esophagectomy between 1991 and 2004. Data were analyzed on an SPSS file (version 12.0, Chicago, IL, USA) using chi(2) or Fisher's exact test; odds ratio and 95% confidence interval; and the Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank test and Cox's proportional hazards regression for survival analysis. There were 178 patients with a median age of 65 years and a 70/30 male to female ratio. Median follow-up was 20.4 months. Pathology comprised adenocarcinoma in 64% of patients, squamous cell carcinoma 30%, and other malignancies 6%. Seventeen patients had neoadjuvant therapy. Hospital mortality was 3.3%. Complete resection was achieved in 87%. Local recurrence occurred at a median of 13 months in 6.7% of patients. Overall 5-year survival was 42%. For patients with invasive squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma the 5-year survival was 47% and 40.3%, respectively, and for patients without nodal involvement it was 71.5%, with one to four nodes involved, 23.5% and with >4 nodes, 5% (P < 0.001). Survival decreased with increasing direct tumor spread (P < 0.001) and pathological stage (P < 0.001). Esophageal resection with systematic 2-field lymphadenectomy can be performed with acceptable operative mortality and favorable survival.

Evaluation of DualMesh for repair of large hiatus hernia in a porcine model.

BACKGROUND: Prosthetic fascial grafts are frequently used for augmentation of cruroplasty in large hiatus hernia repair to decrease the chances of recurrence. Potential complications such as intraluminal erosion may be related to the constant movement of mesh and diaphragm over the outer surface of the esophagus. This study aimed to evaluate DualMesh for repair of large hiatal defects in a porcine model. METHODS: In this study, 18 Landrace x large white x Duroc crossbred pigs underwent either primary hiatal repair or tension-free prosthetic repair using DualMesh (80 x 50 mm or 80 x 100 mm). The animals were killed at 3 or 28 weeks for macroscopic and histologic evaluation of the hiatal region and gastroesophageal junction. RESULTS: All grafts had become encapsulated at 28 weeks, and the majority had filmy adhesions only to the visceral aspect. In all models, the esophagus moved freely over the cut edge of the prosthesis. No signs of intraluminal erosion were documented. At histologic examination, significant ingrowth was noted on the porous side of the mesh, whereas no defined mesothelial layer was identified on the capsule of the nonporous side. CONCLUSION: In this animal model of large hiatus hernia repair, DualMesh showed optimal characteristics in terms of host tissue incorporation on the porous side and absence of adhesions on the visceral side of the prosthesis. The absence of adhesions and intraluminal erosion in this study may provide reassurance to surgeons using mesh at the hiatus.