Laparoscopic treatment of type III para-oesophageal hernia.

Type III congenital para-oesophageal hernia is a rare condition in children and is characterised by the herniation of both a substantial portion of the stomach and the gastro-oesophageal junction into the chest. This report describes the laparoscopic repair of 4 para-oesophageal hernias in children between 2002 and 2010. All hernias were treated successfully using the laparoscopic method. There were no recurrences. The laparoscopic repair of a para-oesophageal hernia is technically challenging, but is feasible and safe in the hands of paediatric surgeons familiar with laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery.