Laparoscopic Heller-Dor Procedure Research Articles

Minimally invasive surgery for motility disorders of the oesophagus

Introduction and aims. We present our experience with minimally invasive surgery for pharyngoesophageal (Zenker) diverticulums, epiphrenic diverticulums and achalasia cardiae focusing on the perioperative features and patients’ quality of life. Patients and methods. Between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2020, patients were selected with a symptom-causing Zenker diverticulum, epiphrenic diverticulum and achalasia cardiae. In 17 cases, transoral stapler diverticulostomy, in 23 cases transcervical diverticulectomy and cricomyotomy were done because of Zenker diverticulum, in 14 cases, laparoscopic transhiatal surgery was performed because of epiphrenic diverticula, while in 63 cases, laparoscopic Heller–Dor operation were carried out because of achalasia cardiae. Perioperative results, the quality of life outcomes of various surgeries were evaluated in mid- and long-term. Results/conclusions. The surgeries were performed with minimal blood loss, zero mortality and low morbidity. According to our result, the two different surgical approaches in the therapy of Zenker’s diverticulum, the laparoscopic Heller–Dor procedure applied in the management of epiphrenic diverticulas and achalasia cardiae are safe and effective operations. In the long term, the symptom control in patients after minimally invasive surgeries is sufficient and only a small percentage of the patients may require additional medication therapy and/or reintervention due to persistent complaints.

Redo laparoscopic Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication versus rescue peroral endoscopic myotomy for esophageal achalasia after failed Heller myotomy: a single-institution experience.

To compare the surgical outcomes of redo laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedure and rescue peroral endoscopic myotomy for patients with failed Heller myotomy. We identified patients who had undergone redo laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedure or rescue peroral endoscopic myotomy from August 1996 to September 2019 and assessed the patients' characteristics, timed barium swallow results, symptom scores before/after surgery, surgical outcomes, and postoperative outcomes. Eleven patients underwent redo laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedure, and 14 underwent rescue peroral endoscopic myotomy. Blood loss (p = 0.001) and intraoperative complications rate (p = 0.003) were lower and the operative time (p > 0.001) and observation period (p = 0.009) shorter in patients who underwent rescue peroral endoscopic myotomy than in patients who underwent redo laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedure. Patients who underwent rescue peroral endoscopic myotomy had a higher rate of postoperative reflux esophagitis (p = 0.033) than those who underwent redo laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedure. After the interventions, the dysphagia symptoms were improved for both groups. Furthermore, both groups expressed satisfaction with their respective procedures. Rescue peroral endoscopic myotomy was associated with better surgical outcomes than redo laparoscopic Heller-Dor for patients with failed Heller myotomy. However, rescue peroral endoscopic myotomy had higher rates of postoperative reflux esophagitis.

Surgical Treatment of Esophageal Achalasia in the Era of Minimally Invasive Surgery.

Introduction:We have analyzed the short- and long-term results of various surgical therapies for achalasia, especially changes in postoperative esophageal function.Patients and Methods:Between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2017, 54 patients with esophageal achalasia were treated in our institution. Patients scheduled for surgery underwent a comprehensive gastroenterological assessment pre- and post-surgery. Forty-eight of the elective cases involved a laparoscopic cardiomyotomy with Dor’s semifundoplication, while two cases entailed an esophageal resection with an intrathoracic gastric replacement for end-stage achalasia. Torek’s operation was performed on two patients for iatrogenic esophageal perforation, and two others underwent primary suture repair with Heller–Dor surgery as an emergency procedure. The results of the different surgical treatments, as well as changes in the patients’ pre- and post-operative complaints were evaluated.Results:No intra-operative complications were observed, and no mortalities resulted. During the 12 to 24-month follow-up period, recurrent dysphagia was observed mostly in the spastic group (TIII: 33%; diffuse esophageal spasm: 60%), while its occurrence in the TI type did not change significantly (14.5%–20.8%). As a result of the follow-up of more than two years, good symptom control was achieved in 93.7% of the patients, with only four patients (8.3%) developing postoperative reflux.Conclusions:The laparoscopic Heller–Dor procedure provides satisfactory long-term results with low morbidity. In emergency and advanced cases, traditional surgical procedures are still the recommended therapy.

Robotic Heller-Dor myotomy: 10-year monocentric experience compared with POEM

Achalasia is a rare motility disorder caused by an incomplete relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter and loss of esophageal peristalsis. As a consequence, the bolus swallowing is hindered and the patients complain dysphagia, regurgitation, chest pain, respiratory symptoms and weight loss. Achalasia’s treatment has been varied over time, from therapies aiming to relax the lower sphincter of the esophagus, including drugs and Botox injection or mechanical dilatations, to surgical myotomy. Robotic or laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedure is considered the gold standard surgical treatment for symptomatic achalasia as it is proved to be effective and safe. As an alternative, Per-Oral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) was applied over the past decade, aiming to combine the same results of mini-invasive procedure to the advantages of endoscopic approach. In this study, we are going to compare the medium-long term results of mini-invasive Heller-Dor procedure, routinely performed in our Department, with those of POEM reported in literature.

Laparoscopic transhiatal surgery for an epiphrenic esophageal diverticulum derived from a jackhammer esophagus: a case report

BackgroundAn esophageal diverticulum is rare and is frequently associated with esophageal motility disorders. Jackhammer esophagus is also rare, is characterized by esophageal hypercontraction, and comprises 4.1% of esophageal motility disorders. Here, we report a case of a patient successfully treated by laparoscopic transhiatal surgery for an epiphrenic esophageal diverticulum derived from a jackhammer esophagus diagnosed with high-resolution manometry (HRM).Case presentationThe patient was a 78-year-old man who presented to the hospital with dysphagia. A diverticulum was detected in the lower part of his esophagus by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. HRM was performed to investigate esophageal motility disorders. His integrated relaxation pressure was normal at 25.9 (< 26) mmHg, but his distal contractile integral (DCI) was very high at 21,464 (1500–13,000) mmHg s cm. Esophageal peristalsis was preserved. Therefore, the patient was diagnosed as having an epiphrenic esophageal diverticulum derived from a jackhammer esophagus for which laparoscopic transhiatal diverticulectomy and Heller-Dor procedure were performed. The postoperative course was uneventful. His symptoms improved, and the level of DCI also returned to a normal level of 3867 mmHg s cm at 2 months after the operation.ConclusionLaparoscopic transhiatal diverticulectomy and esophagomyotomy can be useful procedures for an epiphrenic esophageal diverticulum derived from a jackhammer esophagus due to their lower invasiveness.

Needlescopic versus conventional laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedure for achalasia: a propensity score-matched analysis.

To compare the treatment results of needlescopic surgery with those of the conventional method for achalasia, using propensity score-matching. Propensity score-matching was performed based on five factors: age, gender, body mass index, extended form, and maximum expansion diameter, to extract 28 cases each for a needlescopic group and a conventional group. There were no significant differences between the needlescopic group and the conventional group, in operative time (165min vs. 170min, p = 0.682), estimated blood loss (both ≒ 0ml, p = 0.426), or post-operative hospital stay (4 vs. 4days, p = 0.248). Although the follow-up period was significantly longer in the conventional group (6 vs. 105months, respectively; p < 0.001), there was no difference in the post-operative symptom scores for difficulty in swallowing and chest pain or the degree of satisfaction (p = 0.563, p = 0.142, p = 0.342, respectively). Furthermore, there was no difference in the post-operative clearance rate, with both groups found to be favorable (p = 0.758, p = 0.790, p = 1.000, p = 1.000, respectively). The short-term results of needlescopic surgery for achalasia were good and equivalent to those of the conventional method.

P88 EXTENDING MYOTOMY BOTH DOWNWARDS AND UPWARDS IMPROVES THE FINAL OUTCOME IN MANOMETRIC PATTERN III ACHALASIA PATIENTS

Abstract Background Achalasia is at present classified in 3 manometric patterns. Pattern III is the most unfrequent pattern and is correlated with the worst outcome after all available treatments. We aimed to investigate the final outcome after classic laparoscopic myotomy (CLM) as compared with a longer laparoscopic myotomy both downwards and upwards with (LLM) in patients with pattern III achalasia. Methods The study population consisted of 61 consecutive patients with pattern III achalasia who underwent laparoscopic myotomy between 1997-2017. Patients who had already been treated with surgical or endoscopic procedures were ruled out. Symptoms were collected and scored using a detailed questionnaire; barium-swallow, endoscopy, manometry were performed, before and after surgical treatment. In CLM the total length of the myotomy was ≤ 9 cm, while myotomies extended both downwards and upwards to a length &gt;9 cm were defined as LLM. Results Of the 61 patients representing the study population, 24 had CLM and 37 had LLM. In addition, all the patients add an anterior, partial fundoplication (Dor). The patients’ demographic and clinical parameters (sex, symptom-score, duration of symptoms, esophageal-diameter) were similar in both groups. One mucosal perforation was detected and repaired intraoperatively in the LLM group. The median length of the myotomy was 8 cm (IQR:8-9) in the CLM and 10 cm (IQR:10-12) in the LLM (p&lt;0.001). The median of follow-up was 94 months (IQR:52-126) in the CLM and 24 months (IQR:16-40) in the LLM. As a whole, the two groups had a different drop in their symptom score: 22 (17-26) versus 4 (0-8), and 20 (18-27) versus 3 (0-6) for the CLM and LLM respectively (p&lt;0.01). Moreover, failures were 8/24 (33.3%) in the CLM and 4/37 (10.8%) in the LLM (p&lt;0.05). An abnormal acid exposure was detected after the treatment in 4 patients of CLM and in 3 of LLM (p=n.s.). Conlcusions The extension of the length of the myotomy both downwards and upwards improves the final outcome of the laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedure in patients with pattern III achalasia. On the other hand, a longer myotomy does not influence the development of postoperative gastroesophageal reflux.

Peroral endoscopic myotomy and fundoplication: a novel NOTES procedure.

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has become the minimally invasive endoscopic treatment for achalasia; however, gastroesophageal reflux (GER) post-POEM has been reported. A pilot study was conducted in which an endoscopic fundoplication was added to the standard POEM (POEM + F) procedure to overcome this issue. We report the technical details of POEM + F and short-term safety results. POEM + F was performed in 21 patients. After completing myotomy, the endoscope was advanced from the submucosal tunnel into the peritoneal cavity. A partial mechanical barrier was created by retracting the anterior gastric wall at the esophagogastric junction with the use of endoclips and an endoloop. POEM + F was technically feasible in all cases and created a visually recognizable fundoplication. The clinical course after POEM + F was uneventful. No immediate or delayed complications occurred. POEM + F may help mitigate the post-POEM incidence of GER and serve as a minimally invasive endoscopic alternative to a laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedure. This is the largest case series of peroral natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery without laparoscopic assistance in the human foregut.

PS01.026: CHANGES IN SURGICAL PROCEDURES AND SHORT-TERM OUTCOMES FOR ACHALASIA SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF POEM

Abstract Background In our institution, laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedure (LHD) has been the first-line surgical procedure for achalasia since the introduction in August 1994, and 578 patients underwent LHD until January 2018. In January 2016, per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) was started, taking into patients’ needs into consideration. Since then, treatment options have expanded to include balloon dilation, conventional LHD, LHD by reduced port surgery (RPS), LHD by needlescopic surgery (NS), and POEM. Here, we report changes we have observed in surgical procedures and short-term outcomes since the introduction of POEM. Methods The subjects were 82 patients (mean age 47.4 ± 14.7 years, 39 women) who underwent surgery for achalasia from January 2016 to January 2018. After explaining the advantages and disadvantages, the choice of surgical procedure was decided by the patient. Results The surgical procedures consisted of LHD in 57 (including 1 RPS and 33 NS) and POEM in 25 patients. A total of 7 peri-operative complications (POEM = 1) were observed in 7 patients (9%), consisting of gastroesophageal mucosal injury (7%, LHD) and injuring of esophageal longitudinal muscles (2%, POEM), while dysphagia improved in all patients. Postoperative reflux esophagitis was observed in 9 patients with POEM (36%), which was significantly higher than 6 patients (11%) in LHD (P = 0.0173). Conclusion While 30% of patients underwent POEM, reflux esophagitis occurred at a higher rate in POEM as compared to LHD. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

PS01.023: EXTENDING MYOTOMY BOTH DOWNWARDS AND UPWARDS FOR MANOMETRIC PATTERN III ACHALASIA PATIENTS IMPROVES THE FINAL OUTCOME

Abstract Background Achalasia is at present classified in 3 manometric patterns. Pattern III is the most unfrequent pattern and is correlated with the worst outcome after all available treatments. We aimed to investigate the final outcome after classic laparoscopic myotomy (length ≤ 8cm, CLM) as compared with a longer laparoscopic myotomy both downwards and upwards with (length &gt; 8cm, LLM) in patients with pattern III achalasia. Methods The study population consisted of 50 consecutive patients with pattern III achalasia who underwent laparoscopic myotomy between 1997–2017. Patients who had already been treated with surgical or endoscopic procedures were ruled out. Patients before 2010 had a traditional CLM procedure while patients after 2010 had a LLM. Symptoms were collected and scored using a detailed questionnaire; barium-swallow, endoscopy, manometry (conventional or HRM) were performed, before and after surgical treatment. Results Of the 50 patients representing the study population, 23 had CLM and 27 had LLM. In addition, all the patients add an anterior, partial fundoplication (Dor). The patients’ demographic and clinical parameters (sex, symptom-score, duration of symptoms, esophageal-diameter) were similar in both groups. No intraoperative mucosal lesions were detected. The median length of the myotomy was 7 cm (IQR:7–8) in the CLM and 10 cm (IQR:10–11) in the LLM (P &lt; 0.001). The median of follow-up was 61 months (IQR:35–93) in the CLM and 24 months (IQR:16–36) in the LLM. As a whole, the two groups had a different drop in their symptom score: 21 (17–26) versus 6 (0–8), and 21 (18–27) versus 3 (0–6) for the CLM and LLM respectively (P &lt; 0.05). Moreover, failures were 7/23 (30%) in the CLM and 3/27 (11.1%) in the LLM (P &lt; 0.001). An abnormal acid exposure was detected after the treatment in 4 patients of CLM and in 3 of LLM (P = n.s.). Conclusion In spite of intrinsic limitations of the study (retrospective, different time window of the two procedures and different follow-up), the extension of the length of the myotomy both downwards and upwards improves the final outcome of the laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedure in patients with pattern III achalasia. On the other hand, a longer myotomy does not influence the development of postoperative gastroesophageal reflux. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Identification of risk factors for mucosal injury during laparoscopic Heller myotomy for achalasia.

Mucosal injury during myotomy is the most frequent complication seen with the Heller-Dor procedure for achalasia. The present study aimed to examine risk factors for such mucosal injury during this procedure. This was a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent the laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedure for achalasia at a single facility. Variables for evaluation included patient characteristics, preoperative pathophysiological findings, and surgeon's operative experience. Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors. We also examined surgical outcomes and the degree of patient satisfaction in relation to intraoperative mucosal injury. Four hundred thirty-five patients satisfied study criteria. Intraoperative mucosal injury occurred in 67 patients (15.4%). In univariate analysis, mucosal injury was significantly associated with the patient age ≥60 years, disease history ≥10 years, prior history of cardiac diseases, preoperative esophageal transverse diameter ≥80 mm, and surgeon's operative experience with fewer than five cases. In multivariate analysis involving these factors, the following variables were identified as risk factors: age ≥60 years, esophageal transverse diameter ≥80 mm, and surgeon's operative experience with fewer than five cases. The mucosal injury group had significant extension of the operative time and increased blood loss. However, there were no significant differences between the two groups in the incidence of reflux esophagitis or the degree of symptom alleviation postoperatively. The fragile esophagus caused by advanced patient age and/or dilatation were risk factor for mucosal injury during laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedure. And novice surgeon was also identified as an isolated risk factor for mucosal injury.

Laparoscopic Heller Myotomy for Achalasia Cardia—Initial Experience in a Teaching Institute

Laparoscopic Heller cardiomyotomy and Dor fundoplication is the surgical procedure of choice for esophageal achalasia. The aim of our study was to investigate the clinical outcome and safety of laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedure performed by using Hook electrocautery and as a teaching module for advanced laparoscopic surgery. Between January 2005 and December 2010, 25 consecutive patients with achalasia underwent laparoscopic Heller-Dor operation by a single surgeon. All the patients received upper gastrointestinal series (barium swallow), esophagogastroscopy, and esophageal manometry to exclude esophageal carcinoma and to confirm the diagnosis. All the patients were operated by laparoscopic modified Heller myotomy with Dor fundoplication by using hook electrocautery. Among 25 operated patients, 14 were male and 11 were female with a median age of 43years (range 18-72years). The mean operative time was 93.3min (range 50-50min), the mean operative blood loss was 90ml (range 40-200ml), the median time to oral feeding was 2days (2-4days), and the median hospital stay was 4days (4-7days). There was no conversion to open surgery. Intraoperative mucosal perforation was encountered in three patients and was repaired in all of them by laparoscopic suture. All the patients had an uneventful recovery without postoperative complication and had excellent clinical response (96%) during follow-up. Laparoscopic Heller-Dor operation using hook electrocautery is safe, inexpensive, and effective treatment for achalasia which is useful for teaching and training surgical residents in advanced laparoscopic surgery.

A case of sigmoid-type achalasia treated with hand-assisted laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedure

A male patient in his thirties was referred with dysphagia lasting 8 years. He had a history of a laparotomy for a testicular tumor in his twenties. From an upper gastrointestinal contrast X-ray, he was diagnosed to have sigmoid-type achalasia (greatest transverse diameter, 80 mm). Hand-assisted laparoscopic Heller-Dor surgery was performed because straightening of the esophagus using only a laparoscope was difficult due to the marked curvature of the lower mediastinal part of the esophagus and the history of a laparotomy. The postoperative course was excellent; the patient was discharged on day 9. At present, his dysphagia has disappeared and oral intake is satisfactory. Marked improvement was also found on a timed barium esophagogram. In sigmoid-type achalasia, there are limitations to straightening of the lower esophagus, so the improvement of symptoms is frequently insufficient. The present surgical method allows overcoming these difficulties and is very effective.

Four Hundred Laparoscopic Myotomies for Esophageal Achalasia

Laparoscopic myotomy is the currently preferred treatment for achalasia. Our objectives were to assess the long-term outcome of this operation and preoperative factors influencing said outcome. Demographic and clinical characteristics and data on long-term outcome were prospectively collected on patients undergoing laparoscopic myotomy for achalasia at our institution from 1992 to 2007. Treatment failure was defined as a postoperative symptom score higher than the 10th percentile of the preoperative score (>9). Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent preoperative factors associated with successful myotomy. Four hundred seven consecutive patients (220 men, 187 women) underwent the laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedure during the study period; 89 (22%) of them had previously had endoscopic treatment(s). The mortality rate was 0; the conversion and morbidity rates were 1.5% and 1.9%, respectively. The operation failed in 10% of patients (39/407) and the 5-year actuarial probability of being asymptomatic was 87%. Most failures (25/39, 64%) occurred within 12 months of the operation and can be considered as technical failures (incomplete myotomy). Pneumatic dilation overcome the dysphagia in 75% of patients whose surgery was unsuccessful. Considering both the primary surgery and this ancillary treatment, the operation was effective in 97% of achalasia patients. The frequency of sigmoid esophagus, lower esophageal sphincter (LES) resting pressures, and chest pain scores differed statistically between patients with and without recurrences. At multivariate analysis, high preoperative LES pressures (>30 mm Hg) was an independent predictor of a good response. The presence of chest pain and of sigmoid esophagus independently predicted the failure of the procedure. Laparoscopic myotomy can durably relieve dysphagia symptoms. High preoperative LES pressures represent the strongest predictor of a positive outcome, probably reflecting a less severely damaged esophageal muscle.

Long-term functional results after laparoscopic surgery for esophageal achalasia

Background Evidence on the long-term outcome of laparoscopic Heller–Dor surgery is limited. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term outcome of achalasic patients after surgery, particularly in relation to the radiologic preoperative stage of the disease. Methods Sixty-eight patients with achalasia were assessed clinically and by esophageal radiology, manometry, and 24-hour ambulatory esophageal pH monitoring before and at 3 months, 1, 1 to 3, 3 to 5, and 5 to 8 years after a laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedure. Results At 1 year after surgery the symptom score was significantly lower than the preoperative score ( P < .001), and a satisfactory clinical outcome was seen in more than 90% of the patients with stage I, II, and III disease at the preoperative radiologic assessment. Only 50% of stage IV patients reported satisfactory results. An adequate opening of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and LES resting pressure of less than 8 mm Hg was achieved in all patients, and esophageal emptying was accelerated significantly ( P < .001). At the consecutive follow-up evaluation (1–8 y), a satisfactory outcome was maintained in all stage I, II, and III responders. Stage IV patients with initially unsatisfactory results reported a worsening of symptoms ( P < .02). Patients with pseudodiverticulum had a higher symptom score ( P < .01). LES opening and resting pressure remained at levels of the 1-year follow-up evaluation. Esophageal emptying remained satisfactory in stage I, II, and III responders, but deteriorated in stage IV nonresponders and in 6 of the 10 patients with a pseudodiverticulum. Conclusions A satisfactory outcome of the laparoscopic Heller–Dor procedure in stage I, II, and III achalasic patients seems to last. Stage IV nonresponders tend to deteriorate over time. The development of pseudodiverticulum is associated with an increased symptom score.

Laparoscopic Heller-Dor operation for patients with achalasia

Laparoscopic Heller cardiomyotomy and Dor fundoplication is the surgical procedure of choice for esophageal achalasia. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical outcome of laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedure in our initial series of 25 patients with achalasia. Between October 2003 and January 2006, a total of 25 patients with achalasia underwent laparoscopic Heller-Dor operation. Among them, 9 were male and 16 were female with an average age of (41.5 +/- 5.1) years (21-66). All the patients received upper gastrointestinal series (barium swallow), esophagogastroscopy, esophageal manometry to exclude esophageal carcinoma and to confirm the diagnosis, and 21 patients also had 24-hour ambulatory pH studies. All the patients were operated by laparoscopic modified Heller's myotomy with Dor fundoplication. In addition, 2 of them had combined laparoscopic cholecystectomy + excision of hepatic hemangioma and laparoscopic cholecystectomy, respectively. The average operating time was (110.6 +/- 12.9) minutes (range, 60-180), operative blood loss averaged (18.6 +/- 7.1) ml (5-50), the median time to oral feeding was (1.6 +/- 0.4) days (1-4) and the median hospital stay was (12.6 +/- 1.2) days (10-20). There was no conversion to open surgery. Intraoperative mucosal perforation was encountered in six patients and was repaired in all of them by laparoscopic suture. All the patients had an uneventful recovery without postoperative complication. After a median follow-up of (10.6 +/- 7.2) months (1-27), 24 patients were asymptomatic and 1 had mild postoperative dysphagia. Laparoscopic Heller-Dor operation had the advantages of reduced compromise of the cardiopulmonary function, with less disruption of the supporting structures (phrenoesophageal membrane) of the antireflux mechanism, requiring simpler general anesthesia and providing excellent exposure permitting an easy fundoplication, less pain and reduced morbidity, shorter hospitalization and faster convalescence.

The laparoscopic Heller-Dor operation remains an effective treatment for esophageal achalasia at a minimum 6-year follow-up

The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term clinical outcome of the laparoscopic Heller Dor procedure for esophageal achalasia. A total of 71 consecutive patients with a minimum 6 year follow-up were evaluated. These patients were seen at 1 and 6 months after the operation (at which time barium swallow, endoscopy, manometry, and pH monitoring were performed), and annually thereafter. A dedicated symptom score, that combined severity and frequency of symptoms was used. The median symptom score decreased from 22 (range, 9-29) preoperatively to 4 (range, 0-16) at last follow-up, (p < 0.01). During the follow-up period, 13 patients suffered symptom recurrence; seven of them (54%) had already been diagnosed at the 1-year follow-up. All of these patients were treated with complementary pneumatic dilations. Overall, at a minimum of 6- years after the operation, 81.7% of the patients were satisfied with the treatment and were able to eat normally. The long-term outcome of laparoscopic surgical treatment of esophageal achalasia is only slightly affected by the length of the follow-up and most of the symptomatic failures occur in the early period after the operation.

Laparoscopic Heller cardiomyotomy and Dor fundoplication for esophageal achalasia: possible factors predicting outcome.

Laparoscopic Heller myotomy with anterior hemifundoplication is the surgical procedure of choice for the treatment of esophageal achalasia. Specific factors, eg, severity of esophageal body deformity, might affect postoperative outcome. Prospective case-control study. Academic referral center for gastrointestinal tract motility disorders. Twenty-nine patients with esophageal achalasia who underwent 1 to 3 sessions of failed pneumatic dilation each. Laparoscopic Heller myotomy with anterior (Dor) hemifundoplication. Preoperative and postoperative symptomatic evaluation, esophagoscopy, esophagography, stationary and ambulatory esophageal manometry, and pH monitoring. Three patients had stage I disease, 10 had stage II, 12 had stage III, and 4 had stage IV at preoperative radiologic examination. At surgery, there were no conversions to open procedures, and 2 mucosal perforations were immediately identified and sutured. Good or excellent results were seen in 26 patients. All patients with stage I or II disease had excellent functional results. Of patients with stage III disease, results were excellent in 7, good in 4, and bad in 1. Of patients with stage IV disease, 2 had good results and 2 had bad results. After surgery, lower esophageal sphincter pressure was reduced significantly (from 46.1 +/- 12.1 to 5.4 +/- 1.8 mm Hg; P<.001), as was esophageal diameter (from 61 +/- 17 to 35 +/- 19 mm; P<.001) (data are given as mean +/- SD). However, an excellent result occurred only in patients with a postoperative esophageal diameter less than 40 mm. Functional outcome of laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedure for achalasia is related to the preoperative stage of the disease on the esophagogram and to the extent of reduction in esophageal width after surgery.