Hiatal hernia surgery

Hiatal hernia is a stretched out opening in the diaphragm through which the esophagus passes. Since the chest acts like a vacuum (how we breathe), the larger hole allows the stomach, and sometimes other organs to be "sucked" up into the chest. Surgery to repair this is usually done laparoscopically, and involves closing the hole to the right size with sutures. Mesh use is controversial.