ANTENATAL DETECTION OF HIATUS-HERNIA

A routine ultrasound scan in a primigravida at 29 weeks' gestation sho wed that her fetus had a fluid-filled viscus above the diaphragm in th e mid-line. This was initially thought to be the stomach, either as pa rt of a congenital Bochdalek diaphragmatic hernia or an hiatus hernia. Subsequent scans suggested that this was the stomach with an addition al loop of bowel. After birth, laparotomy confirmed that the stomach h ad herniated into the chest through a very lax oesophageal hiatus. The stomach was easily reduced into the abdomen with no evidence to sugge st a congenital short oesophagus, the crura were tightened, and an ant erior fundoplication performed.