Hiatal hernia (gastroesophageal hernia)
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Hiatal hernia occurs when the abdominal part of the esophagus and other organs (stomach, small intestine, omentum) protrude into the chest cavity. This pathology occurs in 0.5% of population. It is asymptomatic in many cases. Gastroesophageal hernia requires surgical treatment. Refusal of the treatment leads to the increased risk of developing esophageal cancer.
The Booking Health portal presents 35 German clinics specializing in hiatal hernia (gastroesophageal hernia) treatment
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Hiatal hernia – Diagnostics
In the majority of cases, hiatal hernia is easily diagnosed with the help of radiography. The picture is taken in the horizontal position. Method sensitivity is 94%.
To increase the informativeness of radiography the doctors use the following methods:
- Injection of contrasting agent
- Using body positions when intra-abdominal pressure is increased
- Injection of medicines (atropine, neostigmine) to reduce the digestive tract organs tone
Endoscopic diagnostic methods are more informative. A doctor examines the esophagus and the stomach using a tube with a camera. He can not only detect hernia, but also assess condition of the mucous membrane of the esophagus, identify possible complications, and take biopsy for histological analysis.
Best clinics for the hiatal hernia diagnostics in Germany:
Hiatal hernia – Treatment
Hiatal hernia can be treated conservatively as well as surgically. Prescription of medicines or some other conservative treatment methods doesn’t cure the illness, but it facilitates course of the disease and reduces the risk of complications.
Drug therapy includes the prescription of medicines that normalize motility of the gastrointestinal tract and relieve heartburn.
Surgery is the basis of the treatment. It helps to completely remove the hiatal hernia.
Depending on the clinical course, different types of surgeries are performed:
- Cirrhraphy (plastic of hernia) is a suturing of the hernial gates with strengthening the esophagus-diaphragmatic ligament
- Gastropexy is a fixation of a stomach
- Fundoplication is a restoration of an acute angle between the abdominal section of esophagus and fundus
If the hiatal hernia is not treated, a number of complications develop, such as:
- Reflux esophagitis
- Peptic ulcer
- Cicatricial stenosis of the esophagus (obstruction)
- Intussusception of the esophagus into the stomach
- Acute bleeding
- Prolapse of the gastric mucosa in the esophagus
- Perforation (rupture) of the esophagus
- Strangulated hernia
Complications are treated conservatively and surgically. Some of them require emergency surgical intervention.
Best clinics for the hiatal hernia treatment in Germany:
Marien Hospital Duesseldorf
University Hospital of Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
Charite University Hospital Berlin
Hiatal hernia – Rehabilitation
The most modern rehabilitation programs are used in Germany. They are adapted individually for each patient, and based on the recent disease, age, physical possibilities, and the results of treatment. Different specialists such as: therapists, gastroenterologists, psychologists, physiotherapists are involved in the rehabilitation process.
Rehabilitation may include drug support in order to normalize acidity in the stomach and facilitate the movement of food from the esophagus into the stomach. Medications help to relieve the pain and inflammation. It is necessary to hold a consultation with the patient about the proper nutrition. It will be useful to have frequent meals in small portions and to walk after the main meal. Evening meal should be no later than 3 hours before sleeping.
Rehabilitation programs in Germany are designed for 2 weeks. If necessary, they can last much longer. In this country, the patient is provided with qualitative care, accommodation in comfortable rooms and individually selected meals.
Rehabilitation programs in Germany show one of the best results in the world. Most patients successfully restore their employability and excellent health there. They remain physically active, return to the full social and family life.
Best clinics for general therapeutic rehabilitation in Germany:
Author:
The article was edited by medical expert, board certified Dr. Nadezhda Ivanisova. For the treatment of the conditions referred to in the article you must consult a doctor; the information in the article is not intended for self-medication!
Source:
The cost of services includes
Here you can find the cost of treatment for this disease at the German University Hospitals. Leave a request and we will provide a free consultation with a doctor and will start organizing the whole treatment process.
The program includes the following:
- Issuing of an invitation for getting a visa for treatment as quick as possible
- Fixing an appointment at a time convenient for you
- Preliminary organization of a comprehensive examination and discussion of the forthcoming treatment plan
- Arranging transfer from the airport to the hospital and back to the airport
- Provision of interpreting services and services of a personal medical coordinator
- If necessary, assistance in the organization of further surgical treatment
- Provision of a medical insurance against treatment complications covering up to 200,000 euro
- Preparation and translation of medical records and recommendations from the hospital
- Assistance in the subsequent communication with your attending physician, including consultations on repeated X-ray images through the unique medical document management system E-doc