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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What is a hiatus hernia?

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  • Dr Philip Le Page

    Bariatric (Obesity) Surgeon, General Surgeon, Laparoscopic Surgeon, Upper GI Surgeon (Abdominal)

    Dr Le Page is one of Sydney's leading Laparoscopic, Upper GIT, Obesity and General surgeons. He has an established practice in Sydney treating both private … View Profile

    A hiatus hernia is where the gap in the diaphragm is abnormally wide (the gap allows your oesophagus/food pipe to pass from your chest into your belly). The diaphragm is the main breathing muscle and separates the abdomen cavity (‘belly’) from the chest cavity. Normally this gap is ‘snug’ around the oesophagus but a widened gap due to a hiatus hernia allows the stomach (or other abdominal organs) to pass through the wide gap into the chest cavity. This is abnormal. Small hiatus hernias are relatively common. Patients can sometimes be unaware of their presence.

    Not all patients with reflux have a hiatus hernia. Similarly, not all patients with a hiatus hernia have reflux.

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