Initial Experience in the Approach Tathir (Trans-Abdominal Thoracic Hiatus Hernia Repair)

Aims Comparative unicentric study of patients who underwent hiatal hernia surgery by Nissen fundoplication with and without placement of titanized mesh ('Butterfly'). We present the results obtained including the GER-Q questionnaire evaluating the postoperative clinical situation, as well as the analysis of complications and/or recurrence. Methods Retrospective observational study of patients operated on during 2022. Exclusion criteria were age less than 18 years. Usual variables and a GERD-Q questionnaire and esophagogastroduodenal transit were analyzed. A 180-day follow-up was performed. For this analysis we divided the sample into two groups: group 1 (Nissen fundoplication) and group 2 (fundoplication with mesh). Results Eight patients with hiatal hernia, four in each group. Two type III and two type IV hernias in each group. Laparoscopic approach for 100% of group 1; group 2: 25% was laparoscopic approach and 75%, robotic. No patient presented complications. One patient in group 1 had recurrence, while none in group 2. In the GER-Q the median in group 1 was 4 points, while in group 2 it was 2.5, with the possibility of GERD in the first group being 52% and 18.6% in the second group, p = 0.028. Conclusions Further patient recruitment and studies are needed, but based on these initial results, we believe that the use of butterfly mesh in addition to fundoplication may be a safe and effective alternative.