Laparoscopic Hiatal Hernia Repair With Concomitant Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication

Patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease and a large hiatal hernia can have life-disrupting symptoms, such as heartburn, regurgitation, cough, and hoarseness. Gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms are often treated with proton pump inhibitors and occasionally treated with surgery. The last decade has seen the development of a new procedure-laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair with concomitant transoral incisionless fundoplication. When transoral incisionless fundoplication is performed immediately after a laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair, it may enable the discontinuation of proton pump inhibitors and improve a patient's quality of life. This article explores the development of the transoral incisionless fundoplication procedure as well as its concomitant use after hiatal hernia repair at all stages of perioperative care. Also included is a hypothetical case study that illustrates the perioperative nursing care of a patient undergoing this procedure.