Hiatal Hernia Repair by Tension-free Mesh Closure or Simple Suturing

One-hundred and fifty-nine patients undergoing Nissen fundoplication for symptomatic gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), who had a concomitant hiatal hernia of \> 2 cm axial length, were randomized to closure of the diaphragmatic hiatus with either crural sutures alone or tension-free closure with a non-absorbable mesh. Primary outcome variable was the incidence of radiologically verified recurrent hiatal hernia. Secondary outcomes were per-and postoperative complications and courses, symptomatic recurrence rate, use of PPI, postoperative oesophageal acid exposure and Quality of Life.