There are two certified hiatus hernia types described by the surgeons and physicians, one sliding and one paraesophageal hiatus hernia. The paraesopahgeal hernia produces a climbing of a part of the stomach into the chest cavity in condition when the eso-gastric junction remains in its normal position. This type of hiatus hernia is the most dangerous as it causes the most complications.

One possible complications of the hiatus hernia with paraesophageal origin are the incarceration of the squeezed part of the stomach causing major modifications in the digestive transit. A worst evolution scenario is the strangulation of the hernia causing the implicated tissues to die because of the lack of blood supply.

The main and most common symptoms of the paraesophageal hernia are sever sudden appeared chest pains, no pain relief after the administration of antacids or other painkillers, swallow difficulties, stomach pains, nausea, vomiting, disturbance of the digestion and eventual retching. Many patients suffering from paraesophageal hiatus hernia mat show no actual symptoms and diagnose may be established during a routine check-up.

This type of hiatus hernia can mostly be treated with non-surgical methods and diets; surgery is only used in more severe cases or when complications have occurred. A surgical intervention will be required if the above symptoms are caused by a hernia constriction or strangulation. In these cases the surgical therapy must be done in the emergency as it may be crucial for stopping the implicated stomach part to die from lack of blood.

In many cases, preventing the hernia from becoming strangulated or constricted also requires surgery. Many surgeons choose to operate the patient and prevent complications than operating him after he has developed worse symptoms. In this case, through surgery, the herniated stomach part is pushed back into its normal place and prevention measures are taken to stop it from reaching the chest again.

Surgical methods for curing hiatus hernia, especially those with paraesophageal cause, are using the latest technology of laparoscopy. The miniinvasive surgery is in this case relatively risk less and can lead to a more rapid recovery. The thin laparoscope has a camera on one of its endings which allows the surgeon to see inside the chest or abdominal cavity of the patient. Only two minor incisions are necessary to introduce the laparoscope and the surgical instrument inside the body.