Abstract:

Esophageal hiatal hernia occurs when an abdominal structure, aside from the esophagus, protrudes into the thoracic cavity via an enlarged esophageal hiatus, and patients commonly experience frequent acid reflux, heartburn, retrosternal pain, and other discomfort. The rising prevalence of this disease within the population has necessitated more comprehensive research into the ailment and the development of optimized and standardized treatment protocols. Given that clinical trials may not fully address certain research needs, animal experiments can complement these limitations. Therefore, the inclusion of animal models in hiatal hernia research is imperative, with the porcine hiatal hernia model emerging as an ideal choice due to its unique advantages. Laparoscopic repair of esophageal hiatal hernias and the use of meshes and fixation devices have become the predominant treatment approach. The porcine esophageal hiatal hernia model offers a reproducible platform for training young surgeons in laparoscopic procedures and serves as robust evidence for validating the safety and efficacy of new meshes and fixation devices. Additionally, porcine animal models have found extensive use in exploring changes in biological behavior at the hiatus postoperatively and in innovating surgical techniques for esophageal hiatal hernia repair, including the application of robotic surgery. This article provides a comprehensive review through a literature survey on the establishment of a porcine esophageal hiatal hernia model and its applications and research advances in this field.

Key words: Esophageal hiatal hernia, Animal model, Esophageal hiatal hernia repair, Porcine esophageal hiatal hernia model