complications
Last reviewed 01/2018
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