Abdominal Surgery

THIS report summarizes salient features of many important contributions made in abdominal surgery since our last paper on this subject was published in 1979.1 Hiatal Hernia and Esophageal RefluxRepairSliding hiatal hernias associated with esophageal reflux that is refractory to nonoperative therapy are usually repaired by the Nissen, Hill, or Belsey technique. The Nissen repair apparently is now the favorite throughout the country, although it is subject to problems, such as postoperative dysphagia, recurrent reflux, gas-bloat syndrome, and gastric ulcer.2 , 3 The Nissen wrap is unsatisfactory if it is placed in the chest, since retention and gastric ulcer are most . . .