Omission of the calibration bougie in laparoscopic repair of paraesophageal hernia

Background The use of an intraesophageal bougie has traditionally been an integral step in the repair of large hiatal hernia and fundoplication. Typically, the bougie is passed by the anesthesiologist or a member of the surgical team into the stomach to enable calibration of the hiatal repair and fundoplication. An inherent risk of esophagogastric perforation is associated with this maneuver. The authors report their experience comparing symptomatic outcomes for patients who have had a large hiatus hernia repaired with and without the use of a calibration bougie. Methods Data were collected prospectively for 28 consecutive patients undergoing elective laparoscopic repair of a paraesophageal hernia. A bougie was used in the first 14 patients. In the next 14 patients, the use of a bougie was omitted. Symptom and quality-of-life data were collected preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively for all the patients. Results All the patients were satisfied with their symptomatic outcome, as reflected in their postoperative quality-of-life scores. No patients required dilation for postoperative dysphagia. There was no difference in postoperative dysphagia scores between the two groups. Conclusion The current series of consecutively performed laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repairs showed no benefit in terms of symptomatic outcome associated with the use of an intraesophageal bougie. Currently, the authors' standard practice is to perform laparoscopic repair of the paraesophageal hernia and fundoplication Without the aid of a calibration bougie.