Case presentation: The authors report the case of a 68-year-old patient who presented with dysphagia 4 months after a mesh-reinforced antireflux surgery. Examinations revealed partial penetration of the mesh into the esophagus. During an expedited surgery, the mesh was removed through thoraco-laparotomy. Distal esophagus and proximal gastric resections were carried out due to longitudinal perforation site and esophageal stricture, and the continuity of the alimentary tract was restored with jejunal interposition. At the 3-month follow-up visit the patient was asymptomatic and a swallow examination showed normal conditions after the surgery.
Discussion: Several studies have shown that primary closure of large hiatal hernias is associated with high recurrence rate. In order to reduce this ratio, mesh reinforcement of the crural repair was introduced to prevent reherniation. Therefore, the incidence of recurrence has indeed decreased, however, mesh-related complications have increased. Because of the special anatomical site, the mesh around the gastroesophageal junction is in continuous movement and this can potentially lead to complications such as esophageal erosion, perforation or extensive fibrosis and stenosis. These complications may cause severe, even life-threatening conditions that could only be treated with difficult surgeries. Based on the experience of our case and the review of the literature, we would like to highlight one of the potential, serious complications of mesh-reinforced hiatal repair.
Keywords: anti-reflux surgery; antireflux-sebészet; hiatal hernia; hiatushernia; hálóbeültetés szövődményei; hálómigráció; mesh complications; mesh migration.