Laparoscopic Total Left-sided Surgical Approach Versus Traditional Bilateral Surgical Approach for Hiatal Hernia

Summary

Background: In China, guidelines for the treatment of hiatal hernia (HH) are lacking. Furthermore, efficacy and safety assessments of surgical approaches for HH and for the protection of the vagus nerve and organ function are needed. Therefore, the present clinical trial is being conducted to establish the normative treatment for HH. Methods: The current trial is an ongoing, single-center, randomized controlled trial of patients with HH. The total sample size required for the trial (July 2020-December 2023) is approximately 114 patients.

Patients will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group (total left-sided surgical approach; TLSA) or a control group (traditional bilateral surgical approach; TBSA) at a ratio of 1:1 using the block randomization method. We will use case report forms (CRFs) and electronic data capture (EDC) systems to obtain demographic information, preoperative laboratory tests, auxiliary examination results, operation information, and postoperative condition. The patients will be followed up for 3 years after surgery. The primary endpoint is the gastrointestinal quality-of-life index (GIQLI) at 1 year. The secondary endpoints include an efficacy evaluation index \[consisting of the incidence of gallstones and gastric emptying disorders, gastrointestinal function recovery time, visual analog scale (VAS) scores, objective evaluation of postoperative indices, and surgical information\] and a safety evaluation index (consisting of the incidence of postoperative complications, the 30-day postoperative mortality rate, and the HH recurrence rate at 1 and 3 years after surgery). Discussion: TLSA can protect the normal physiological function of organs to a certain extent by protecting the vagus nerve from injury, and has satisfactory short- and long-term efficacy. There is no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications and surgical safety between TLSA and TBSA. Our findings will facilitate clinical decision-making for HH and improve the life quality of patients.

Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2000034028 (registration date: June 21, 2020). Keywords: Hiatal hernia (HH); surgical approach; efficacy; safety; randomized controlled trial

Conditions

• Hiatal Hernia
• GERD

Interventions

PROCEDURE

TLSA

TLSA surgery procedure. (A) On the greater curvature of the stomach, the gastrocolic ligament is incised along the avascular area between the left and right gastric omentum vessels, and the gastric fundus is separated upward to the cardia to protect the vagus nerve. (B) The cardia, lower esophagus, and diaphragm is exposed, and the confluence of the left and right crus of the diaphragm is revealed. The retroperitoneum at the left and right crus of the diaphragm is incised, and the lower esophagus is dissociated for about 3-5 cm. The gastric fundus and the posterior wall of the esophagus are fully dissociated from the upper spleen. (C) Non-absorbable thread is used to intermittently suture the left and right crus of diaphragm in order to reconstruct the esophagus hiatus with a diameter of about 1.5 cm. (D) Then, the surgeon inserts the patch and fixes it on the crus of diaphragm if the hiatal hernia is larger than 5 cm or the diaphragm on both sides is weak. (E) A small incisio

PROCEDURE

TBSA

Traditional bilateral surgical approach (TBSA) surgery procedure. (A) Separation is initiated from the avascular area of the lesser omentum, and the hepatic branch of vagus nerve is preserved as far as possible. Careful separation is performed upward to expose the right crus of diaphragm. (B) At the greater curvature of the stomach, two to three short gastric vessels are cut off to expose the left crus of diaphragm, and the space between the anterior and posterior of esophagus is dissociated. (C) The diaphragmatic esophageal membrane is incised and the lower part of the esophagus is dissociated about 4-5 cm, then the gastroesophageal valve flap is reformed and the His angle is restored. During the operation, it mainly protects the anterior and posterior trunk of the vagus nerve. The anterior and posterior trunk of the vagus nerve are mainly protected during the operation. (D) Both sides of the crus of the diaphragm are intermittently sutured with non-absorbable thread to reconst

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Beijing Friendship Hospital

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2020-07-01

Primary Completion

2023-12-31

Completion

2025-01-15

Countries

• China

Study Locations