Objective
To explore the diagnostic value of different examination methods for giant hiatal hernia (GHH) complicated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and the correlation between the examination indexes.
Methods
A total of 44 patients with GHH admitted to Minimally Invasive Surgery, Hernia and Abdominal Wall Surgery in the People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from January 2022 to December 2023 were included, and the preoperative examination results [gastroscopy, abdominal CT, high-resolution esophageal manometry (HREM),dynamic esophageal pH monitoring for 24h] were retrospectively analyzed. According to DeMeester score and Gerd Q score, 27 patients were divided into reflux group [combined GERD, DeMeester score ≥14.72,Gerd Q score ≥8], and non-reflux group (without GERD, DeMeester score<14.72, Gerd Q score<8), 17 cases. Further analysis was made on the difference of different examination indexes in the two groups and the diagnostic value of GHH combined with GERD.
Results
Pearson correlation analysis showed that the transverse diameter of HH examined by abdominal CT was positively correlated with the volume of hernia sac and HH diameter of HREM (R=0.502, P=0.001; R=0.357, P=0.017); the DeMeester score was positively correlated with the Gerd Q score and HH transverse diameter of abdominal CT examination(R=0.422, P=0.004; R=0.372, P=0.013); Lower esophageal sphincter rest pressure(LESP) had no correlation with the Gerd Q score, Hill grade of GEFV in gastroscopy, volume of herniated sac, transverse diameter of HH in abdominal CT, diameter of HH in HREM, and DeMeester score. Only the Gerd Q score of the reflux group was higher than that of the non-reflux group, and the difference was statistically significant (t=2.424, P=0.020). There were no significant differences in the transverse diameter of HH,LESP, Hill grade of GEFV by gastroscopy, volume of herniated sac and HH diameter of HREM by upper digestive tract angiography and abdominal CT (P>0.05). Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC)obtained upper gastrointestinal angiography (AUC=0.500, P=1.000), Hill grade of GEFV in gastroscopy(AUC=0.572, P=0.426, sensitivity 40.7%, specificity 76.5%), and hernial sac volume in abdominal CT examination (AUC=0.516, P=0.857, sensitivity 92.6%, specificity 29.4%), HH transverse diameter(AUC=0.661, P=0.074, sensitivity 100%, specificity 35.3%), LESP (AUC=0.422, P=0.386, sensitivity 22.2%, specificity 82.4%), HH diameter of HREM (AUC=0.601, P=0.262, sensitivity 55.6%, specificity 76.5%); Gerd Q score (AUC=0.714, P=0.018, sensitivity 66.7%, specificity 70.6%).
Conclusion
HH transverse diameter and Gerd Q score are of high value in the diagnosis of GHH combined with GERD,while the decrease of LESP is not a decisive factor in GHH. The manometry is mainly to exclude esophageal motility disorders, and is not of high value in the diagnosis of GHH combined with GERD.