“Is a 7cm hiatal hernia big?”
I am 38 years old, and I have a 7 cm hiatal hernia, and I believe that it might be causing chest pain. What should I do for this? Would I need surgery?
11 Answers
Yes, that's big and yes you should have Surgery because you are symptomatic.
7 cm is about 2 inches. It is not large. Chest pain has many causes, too many to discuss here. But, common sense should guide you to your internist who should know the correct questions to ask you. In general, heart problems are first on the list to investigate.
It needs work up and studies and potentially surgery. Really depends on what the endoscopy manometry and ph testing shows.
Surgery is usually needed when the hernia is complicated, causing obstruction, or becoming ischemia (tissues are strangulated and blood supply is compromised). Otherwise this is best managed by lifestyle changes. If you're overweight, lose weight. If you smoke, QUIT. reduce alcohol use. Make a food diary to figure which foods cause the symptoms. Chest pain, however, has many other reasons, which is why I would recommend going to your PCP for proper history and examination and further work up if necessary
I would say moderate-sized and based on symptoms would most likely benefit from surgery. Would of course like to review any studies: images and examine patient as well
Sean Harbison
Sean Harbison
Kendrix Evans
Surgeon
That’s not incredibly large but size can be confusing because a larger hernia is usually better because the strangulation risk is lowered. Surgery is only for symptoms so if the hernia is the source of pain then I’d fix it but it’s unlikely the hernia alone is the source of pain.
Kendrix (Ken) J. Evans MD MS
General Surgeon
Kendrix (Ken) J. Evans MD MS
General Surgeon
Yes you will, please make an appointment
Yep, that’s a big one. Go see a general surgeon who does a lot of these surgeries. It’s a fairly complex work up. Esophagoscopy with measuring of the amount of acid reflux, and pressure measurements. A barium swallow X-ray tells me more than scoping sometimes.
It is 7 cm
You need to see a GI doc for evaluation of your esophagus and stomach with an EGD. If you are having significant symptoms, a general surgeon can evaluate you to determine if you would benefit from repair of hiatal hernia.
A hiatal hernia is where the stomach migrates from the abdomen into the chest. Surgery is the only way to fix this. There is no medicine or activity that will improve it.
Symptoms can include chest pain, chest tightness, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), heartburn or acid reflux, and belching/bloating.
Symptoms can include chest pain, chest tightness, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), heartburn or acid reflux, and belching/bloating.
