Hiatal Hernia
The diaphragm is the large muscle that separates the chest and abdomen internally, and is involved primarily in breathing. The esophagus travels from the back of the throat into the chest, and passes through the diaphragm just in front of the spine where it joins the stomach in the upper abdomen. The opening in the diaphragm for the esophagus is known as the esophageal hiatus. Over time, this hiatus can enlarge due to weakening of the diaphragm. When this occurs, the junction of the esophagus and the stomach, or even part of the stomach herniates upward into the chest. People with hiatal hernias often experience heartburn (gastroesophageal reflux disease), difficulty swallowing or even chest pain.
Repair of a hiatal hernia can usually be done through a laparoscopic approach, and often is done in conjunction with surgical treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease .
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