An Evaluation of Tests for Hiatus Hernia

A further enquiry into the incidence of hiatus hernia and an evaluation of some of the tests in use have been carried out. One hundred hiatus hernias were demonstrated in 909 meals using a standardised sequence of procedures, an incidence of 10·9 per cent. This was approximately three times the frequency of gastric ulcer. The greatest number was found in the 6th decade. Of the lesser numbers of barium meals made in the 8th and 9th decades about one quarter showed herniation. All but one of the hernias in this series were demonstrated with the patient prone over a folded pillow. It is considered that tests other than those carried out with the patient prone need not be used as a routine.