AUTHOR=Ma Danyang , Wang Jiang , Li Tong , Pang Mingyuan , Lu Hengxiao 

TITLE=Colonic hiatal hernia leading to obstruction after minimally invasive McKeown esophagectomy: a case report

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Surgery

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/surgery/articles/10.3389/fsurg.2025.1543955

DOI=10.3389/fsurg.2025.1543955

ISSN=2296-875X

ABSTRACT=A 62-year-old man presented with acute abdominal pain and signs of bowel obstruction eight months after undergoing a minimally invasive McKeown esophagectomy for esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma. Initial imaging did not reveal a hernia, and conservative management was unsuccessful. Re-evaluation of imaging suggested a hiatal hernia, and thoracoscopic exploration confirmed a large hernia with the transverse colon herniating into the thoracic cavity. Surgical repair involved reduction of the herniated colon and repair of the diaphragmatic hiatus. The patient recovered uneventfully. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of post-esophagectomy hiatal hernias and the importance of prompt surgical intervention.