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Complications

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Complications of a sliding hiatal hernia include:

  • oesophagitis:
    • common complication due to reflux
    • progressive fibrosis of the wall may lead to stricture, narrowing of the lumen and dysphagia
    • small, shallow ulcers may develop and the denuded oesophageal epithelium becomes replaced by ectopic gastric glandular epithelium - Barret's oesophagus; this may worsen reflux and lead to the development of adenocarcinoma

  • inhalation pneumonitis:
    • not very common, caused by aspiration of refluxed material
    • rarely, an abscess may form

  • obstruction or strangulation:
    • uncommon
    • caused by volvulus of a large hernia

  • minor haemorrhage or chronic haemorrhage leading to anaemia

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