Isolated esophageal hiatal hernia of the colon: A case report and review of literature

Esophageal hiatal hernias, most of which are transhiatal migrations of the gastric cardia into the mediastinum, include a minor category called paraesophageal hernias. Herniation of organs other than the stomach belongs to this category. A 75-year-old man who developed esophageal hiatal hernia of an isolated transverse colon underwent elective laparoscopic surgery. Intraoperative findings revealed a preserved phrenoesophageal attachment on the patient's left dorsal side. Sac excision, sutured cruroplasty, and Toupet fundoplication were performed. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient's stooping-induced dyspnea was relieved after surgery. Our literature review indicated that hiatal hernia of the isolated colon has the unique characteristic of causing secondary gastroduodenal outlet obstruction and shares a mutual nature with Type II hiatal hernia. Although rare, this uncommon type of hiatal hernia may be recognized as a distinct subtype of paraesophageal hernia.