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Background: Breakdown of the crural closure is a frequent reason for failure of antireflux surgical procedures. This retrospective study aimed to determine the effectiveness of using absorbable mesh in preventing recurrence of hiatal hernia after posterior cruroplasty.

Design: Comparative retrospective analysis.

Method: The charts of 220 adults who underwent antireflux surgery with posterior cruroplasty between 1997 and 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into 2 groups: posterior cruroplasty+absorbable mesh reinforcement (n=127) and posterior cruroplasty alone (n=93). Symptomatic outcome was assessed by telephone interview in 92 patients (72%) in the mesh group at a median of 3.2 years postoperatively and 59 patients (63%) in the no mesh group of men studied at a median of 3.8 years postoperatively.

Main Outcome Measures: Incidence of recurrence and persistent symptoms.

Results: In the mesh group, 74/92 (80%) patients remained asymptomatic at a median of 3.2 years postoperatively. Of these patients, 31 underwent either an upper endoscopy or an upper gastrointestinal (UGI) series; none had recurrence of hiatal hernia. Of the 18 symptomatic patients, 13 underwent an upper endoscopy or an UGI series to determine the etiology of symptoms; 3 recurrences were confirmed for a 3.3% overall proven recurrence rate. In the no mesh group, 26/59 (44%) patients were symptomatic. Of these, 18 underwent either an upper endoscopy or an UGI series. Recurrence of hernia was confirmed in 12 patients for a 20% overall proven recurrence rate. There were no instances of mesh infection or erosion.

Conclusions: Symptomatic recurrence rates of hiatal hernia after antireflux surgery vary. Recurrence of a hiatal hernia may or may not lead to symptoms. This retrospective analysis demonstrates that absorbable mesh is safe and may lead to a significant reduction in the incidence of symptomatic recurrent hiatal hernia.