BACKGROUND: A major complication after laparoscopic fundoplication is migration of the fundic wrap into the chest, with or without rupture of the valve. This can occur as a result of inadequate closure of the diaphragmatic hiatus, by rupture of sutures or carried by laceration of the muscle fibers manipulated. AIM: To verify the efficiency of the use of Dacron® or Prolene® mesh in the reinforcement of the diaphragmatic hiatus. METHODS: Fifteen patients were operated with mean age of 46 years using laparoscopic antireflux surgery, with Prolene® or Dacron® mesh reinforcement of the hiatal crura. The patients were operated under general anesthesia by laparoscopy using five trocars. The average time of surgery was 120 minutes. No deaths occurred. The mean postoperative time was 3.5 days. Patients returned to normal activities around the 10th postoperative day. The mean follow-up was five years. In only two patients, in which were used in a Dacron® mesh, and in another Prolene®, there was migration of the mesh to the esophageal lumen causing dysphagia. CONCLUSION: The mesh use in laparoscopic hiatoplasties is good alternative to close the diaphragmatic defect in large hiatal hernias, correction of reflux esophagitis associated with Barrett's esophagus or hiatal hernia/esophagitis recurrence after surgical correction.
Gastroesophageal reflux; Laparoscopy; Hernia, hiatal
