Inguinal hernia repair is a frequently performed operation, and laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair has become increasingly prevalent, particularly for the repair of bilateral or recurrent hernias. The first described laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair was completed in 1990 by Ger in…
Ventral herniation presents a set of common, yet diverse and complex problems in the surgical world. It is a surgical disease with wide variation in management, variable outcomes, and high volumes. More than 2 million laparotomies are completed in the…
Ladd and Gross reported the first successful series of surgical repair for congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) in 1940, followed by successful neonatal repair in 1946. Gross subsequently reported the largest series of the time in 1953. The reported survival was…
A hernia is described as a protrusion of an organ or tissue from its normal cavity. This protrusion may extend outside the abdominal wall or between body cavities. Hernias vary in presentation including congenital, umbilical and epigastric hernias, inguinal, traumatic…
The incidence of esophageal perforations is on the rise. Iatrogenic causes remain the most common and continue to increase in an era of frequent use of endoscopy for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Despite many advances in care, the mortality rate…
Perforation of the esophagus is a potentially serious and life-threatening medical emergency. Given the diverse etiologies and wide variety in clinical presentations of the perforated esophagus, the managing physician must possess a thorough understanding of the principles behind its treatment,…
A caustic esophageal ingestion involves damage to the wall of the esophagus, secondary to direct contact with an acid or base, through a well-described inflammatory response. Knowledge of the pathophysiology of caustic injuries guides complex management decisions through the multiple…
Submucosal tumors (SMTs) of the esophagus and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) are a group of rare, benign lesions. This chapter will review the various types of esophageal and GEJ SMTs. We intend to focus on advancements in the imaging modalities, medical…
Esophageal duplication cyst is one of two types of foregut duplication cysts. The other type is the bronchogenic duplication cyst, and they are both classified together due to their common embryologic origin. Duplication cysts are a rare entity, with most…
The esophagus has been dubbed the organ of symptoms not signs. Inflammation of this dynamic conduit will elicit manifestations that can severely impact a patient's life. These symptoms are universal regardless of the cause of inflammation. They may include dysphagia,…