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Introduction: Hiatal hernia repair is associated with substantial recurrence of both hiatal hernia and symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (GER). While small randomized controlled trials demonstrate limited differences in outcomes with use of mesh or fundoplication type, uncertainty remains. Methods: A multicenter, retrospective review of patients undergoing surgical treatment of hiatal hernias between 2015 and 2020 was performed. Patients with mesh and with suture-only repair were compared, and partial versus complete fundoplication was compared. Primary outcomes were hernia recurrence and occurrence of postoperative GER symptoms and dysphagia. Multivariable regression was performed to assess the effect of each intervention on clinical outcomes. Results: A total of 453 patients from four sites were followed for a median (IQR) of 17 (13) months. On multivariate analysis, mesh had no impact on hernia recurrence (odds ratio 0.993, 95% CI: 0.53–1.87, p = 0.982), and fundoplication type did not impact recurrence of postoperative GER symptoms (complete: odds ratio 0.607, 95% CI: 0.33–1.12, p = 0.112) or dysphagia (complete: odds ratio 1.17, 95% CI: 0.56–2.43, p = 0.677). Conclusion: During hiatal hernia repair, mesh and fundoplication type do not appear to have substantial impact on GER symptoms, dysphagia, or hernia recurrence. This multicenter study provides real-world evidence to support the findings of small RCTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One-half of Americans have limited access to health care; these patients often receive care through safety net hospitals, which are associated with worse medical outcomes. This study aims to compare the outcomes of patients who received foregut surgery at a safety net hospital to those at a private or university hospital. We hypothesized that patients treated at the safety net hospital will have a greater rate of radiographic recurrence and reoperations. A retrospective study was conducted on patients who underwent hiatal hernia repair or fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease at an affiliated safety net, private, or university hospital from June 2015 to May 2020. The primary outcome was radiographic recurrence. The secondary outcomes included reoperation and symptom recurrence. Analysis was performed using analysis of variance, chi-square, and logistic regression. A total of 499 patients were identified: 157 at a safety net hospital, 233 at a private hospital, and 119 at a university hospital. The median (interquartile range) follow-up was 16 (13) mo. The safety net hospital treated more Hispanics, females, and patients with comorbidities. Large hiatal hernias were more common at the safety net and private hospitals. Robotic surgery was more frequently at the university hospital. There was no difference in radiographic recurrence (13.4% versus 19.7% versus 17.6%; P = 0.269), reoperation (3.8% versus 7.2% versus 6.7%; P = 0.389), or postoperative dysphagia (15.3% versus 12.6% versus 15.1%; P = 0.696). On logistic regression, there were no differences in outcomes among institutions. This study suggests that despite the challenges faced at safety net hospitals, it could be feasible to safely perform minimally invasive foregut surgery with similar outcomes to private and university hospitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]