Behavioural techniques in the management of aerophagia in patients with hiatus hernia.

Aerophagia has been shown to occur in association with hiatus hernia, and it has been suggested that it may have an aetiological role. Two behavioural methods are described, which are designed to reduce the rate of swallowing. They were applied to a group of 12 patients with hiatus hernia, in whom aerophagia had been demonstrated. Patients were on the whole successful in reducing their rate of spontaneous swallowing. An association was observed between symptomatic improvement and successful reduction of swallowing rate. This was still apparent on follow-up at nine months. Symptomatic improvement, however, on the whole appeared to be short-lived. The possible clinical significance of aerophagia in hiatus hernia is discussed.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes