Diaphragmatic hernia following transhiatal esophagectomy.

Transitional esophagectomy (THE) has been advocated as an alternative to the classic transthoracic approach. A variety of complications have been previously described with THE however, these can be avoided with meticulous detail to its technique. We report a patient who developed a complete small bowel obstruction secondary to a diaphragmatic hernia following transhiatal esophagectomy. Techniques to prevent such a rare complication is described.