Hiccups associated with reflux esophagitis

Abstract

A 67-yr-old man with protracted hiccups, as well as reflux esophagitis and a stricture, was found to have heartburn and water brash only during episodes of hiccups. Intraesophageal pH monitoring showed acid gastroesophageal reflux increased during these episodes and decreased with cessation of hiccups. After all attempts failed to relieve his hiccups, a Nissen fundoplication relieved heartburn, healed the esophagitis, and stopped excessive reflux of acid gastric juice, even though the hiccups persisted. These observations showed that reflux provoked by prolonged hiccups could either have adversely affected preexistent reflux esophagitis and stricture or conceivably could have caused these complications.