Laparoscopic repair of post-esophagectomy diaphragmatic hernias using human acellular dermal matrix

Abstract

Diaphragmatic hernias occur in up to 2% of patients after esophagectomy with gastric pull-up, and the surgical repair in the setting of a previous esophagectomy is a challenge with high complication rates, in particular with regards to the gastric conduit and its critical vascular supply. We describe two cases and the technique of minimally invasive, laparoscopic repair of diaphragmatic defects with organ herniation after esophagectomy using absorbable human acellular dermal matrix. © 2011 Published by European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.