Laparoscopic repair of big hiatal hernias using a polypropylene mesh

From March to December 1997, we operated upon 5 patients suffering from ext ensive hiatal hernias combined with gastroesophageal reflux. We performed l aparoscopically a hernioplasty by suture adding an implantation of a polypr opylene mesh. All operation were finished without any complications. In our contribution, we report about the surgical technique and demonstrate the r esults of our follow-up examinations made in 1/98. The tension-free laparos copic operation of extensive hiatal hernias by mesh implantation seems a pr oper alternative to conventional minimally invasive surgery.