Thoracoscopic Heller Myotomy Research Articles

Can thoracoscopic Heller’s myotomy give equivalent results to the more usual laparoscopic Heller’s myotomy in the treatment of achalasia?: Table 1

A best evidence topic in thoracic surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was 'Can thoracoscopic Heller's myotomy (THM) give equivalent results to the more usual laparoscopic Heller's myotomy (LHM) in the treatment of achalasia?' Altogether, more than 478 papers were found using the reported search, of which eight represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are tabulated. THM and LHM are two recognised approaches to the performance of a distal oesophageal myotomy in the treatment of achalasia. Of the two meta-analyses on this subject, Campos et al. [Campos GM, Vittinghoff E, Rabl C, Takata M, Gadenstätter M, Lin F, Ciovica R. Endoscopic and surgical treatments for achalasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Surg 2009;249:45-57] illustrated improved symptom control in LHM compared with THM. Wang et al. [Wang L, Li Y, Li L, Yu C. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the Chinese literature for the treatment of achalasia. World J Gastroenterol 2008;14:5900-5906], however, observed no difference in remission rates following either approach. Close scrutiny of comparison studies revealed superiority in long-term outcomes and symptoms following LHM in three studies. There were, however, studies that illustrated comparable outcome results for THM in both resolution of dysphagia and reflux. Morbidity rates following THM were noted to be similar to or slightly higher than those following LHM in five studies, but no statistically significant difference was illustrated in these studies. Operating time and length of stay were noted to be significantly shorter in LHM when compared with THM in three studies, although there were exceptions to this, with two studies illustrating shorter or equal operating times for THM. However, LHM operating times have been shown to improve with experience gained. We conclude that there is good evidence demonstrating the effectiveness and safety of LHM, and it has come to be regarded as the gold standard treatment of achalasia. When THM is compared with LHM, the long-term results approach parity on occasion but not consistently. The overall postoperative morbidity of THM is not significantly different from that of LHM. An advantage of LHM over THM that is demonstrated is that LHM offers a shorter hospital stay and reduced operative time.

Surgical treatment for achalasia: when should it be performed, and for which patients?

Achalasia is a rare motor disorder of the esophagus, characterized by the absence of peristalsis and impaired swallow-induced relaxation. In the past decade, evidence has been accumulated suggesting that achalasia may be an immune-mediated inflammatory disorder. With the advent of minimally invasive surgery, laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) has slowly shifted the treatment of achalasia toward the greater use of surgical therapy. The goal of both surgical and nonsurgical treatment is to eliminate the outflow obstruction afforded by a nonrelaxing sphincter, relieving dysphagia and maintaining a barrier against gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Endoscopic botulinum toxin injection (EBTI) is safe, easy to perform, inexpensive, and effective in aged patients, and it is especially effective when the lower esophageal pressure is hypertonic. This therapeutic option is reserved for patients too ill to undergo any surgical procedure. Pneumatic dilation (PD) has been shown to be an effective and inexpensive treatment with few adverse effects. The long-term success rate of PD seems to drop progressively over time. Heller myotomy (HM) has shown the best clinical efficacy in achalasia as a first-line treatment. Multiple endoscopic treatments are associated with poorer outcomes after HM. EBTI also makes LHM more difficult and results in a worse surgical outcome. The inferior symptomatic outcomes after thoracoscopic HM may be caused by the difficulty in extending an adequate myotomy onto the stomach from the chest and the inability to create a fundoplication. LHM with Dor's fundoplication (LHM + Dor) is effective and is safer procedure for avoiding GER, dysphagia, mucosal perforation, and a pseudodiverticulum. LHM + Dor is also effective in the presence of sigmoid achalasia, but the clinical result is not as good as nonsigmoid achalasia. A few patients need esophagectomy for surgical failure of HM. However, considering the risk of esophagectomy, LHM + Dor is the first treatment option for patients with achalasia regardless of the degree of esophageal dilatation. This procedure is therefore considered to be an effective and safe treatment for patients of any age or with any condition.

Robotic Thoracoscopic Heller Myotomy for Achalasia

PURPOSE: The surgical treatment of achalasia remains controversial. Controversies include open vs. videoscopic approach, laparoscopic vs. thoracoscopic approach, and the need for an antireflux procedure. Laparoscopic Heller myotomy is hampered by the requirement of an added antireflux procedure. Thoracoscopic Heller myotomy does not require an antireflux procedure, but is associated with greater rates of residual achalasia. Robotics by virtue of 3-D visualization and greater maneuverability may facilitate thoracoscopic Heller myotomy.

Approach to the Child Who Has Persistent Dysphagia After Surgical Treatment for Esophageal Achalasia

Approach to the Child Who Has Persistent Dysphagia After Surgical Treatment for Esophageal Achalasia

Long-term clinical results of thoracoscopic Heller's myotomy in the treatment of achalasia☆

The aim of this study is to review the immediate and long-term results of video-imaged thoracoscopic Heller's myotomy (THM). All patients undergoing THM by a single surgeon at one institution were analysed. Follow-up was conducted using a structured questionnaire and oesophageal manometry and/or 24h pH monitoring were undertaken when clinically indicated. Fifty-six consecutive patients (32 males, 24 females, mean age 45+/-18.7 years) suffering from grade 4 dysphagia underwent THM between January 1992 and March 2006. Preoperative mean lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) pressure was 38.4+/-10.6 mmHg. Eighteen patients (32.1%) had undergone previous pneumatic dilatations. There were no hospital deaths. Oesophageal perforation occurred in two patients; one repaired thoracoscopically and one at thoracotomy. Mean hospital stay was 4+/-1.37 days. At mean follow-up of 5.9+/-4.66 years, freedom from any reintervention was 87% (49/56). Twenty-nine patients (52%) were asymptomatic. In patients with residual or recurrent symptoms (n=27), their severity was significantly reduced from the preoperative period (dysphagia score 1.37+/-0.77 vs 4.00+/-0; p<0.001). Seven patients (12.5%) with troublesome residual or recurrent grade 3-4 dysphagia underwent repeat oesophageal manometric study, showing a mean reduction in LOS pressure from their baseline values of 46.8+/-6.1-30.0+/-5.4 mmHg (p<0.001). Of these patients, three patients with grade 4 dysphagia were reoperated: one open Heller's myotomy and two by cardia resection. Eleven patients complained of troublesome postoperative heartburn; distal oesophageal acid exposure was shown to be abnormal in nine patients (16.9%) and all were successfully managed with medical therapy. The results of thoracoscopic treatment for achalasia are at least equivalent to historical outcomes obtained with open surgery but the patient is spared major thoracotomy or the acid reflux associated with a laparoscopic approach.

Laparoscopic Heller Myotomy and Dor Fundoplication for Pediatric Esophageal Achalasia: Recent Technical Modifications of an Established Procedure

Background/Objective: Since 1996, both laparoscopic and thoracoscopic Heller myotomy, with and without fundoplication, have been described for the treatment of pediatric esophageal achalasia. Many ...

Enduring effects of thoracoscopic Heller myotomy for treating achalasia.

Minimal invasive surgery using a laparoscopic or thoracoscopic approach for cardiomyotomy (Heller myotomy) has become a widely accepted procedure to treat achalasia of the esophagus. In this study, we evaluated the long-term results of Heller myotomy achieved by performing video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). We recruited patients with achalasia who had undergone VATS for Heller myotomy from 1991 to 2000 at the National Taiwan University Hospital. The myotomy was performed 6 cm above and 1 cm below the gastroesophageal junction. No fundoplication was performed during the procedure. The symptom score, which included dysphagia, regurgitation, and chest pain, was evaluated before and after surgery. Body weight was also recorded before and after surgery. The cases of 14 patients (4 men, 10 women) were studied. The mean patient age was 41.8 +/- 4.9 years. No postoperative mortality or morbidity was found in these patients. The follow-up duration was 56 +/- 7.17 months. The dysphasia score improved from 3.0 preoperatively to 0.79 +/- 0.30 postoperatively (p=0.001). The reflux score improved from 2.64 +/- 0.17 preoperatively to 0.50 +/- 0.20 postoperatively (p=0.001). All the improvements were still in place at the time of the most recent follow-up examinations. Heller myotomy to treat achalasia using a thoracoscopic approach can provide satisfactory long-term results.

Impact of minimally invasive surgery on the treatment of esophageal achalasia: a decade of change.

Twenty years ago an average of 1.5 Heller myotomies were performed per year in our hospital, mostly for patients whose dysphagia did not improve following balloon dilatation or whose esophagus had been perforated during a balloon dilatation. Ten years ago we started using minimally invasive surgery to treat this disease. This study measures the impact of minimally invasive surgery with regard to the following: the number of patients referred for treatment; the number of patients who came to surgery without previous treatment; and the results of surgical treatment. Between 1991 and 2001, 149 patients had minimally invasive surgery for achalasia: 25 patients (17%) had thoracoscopic Heller myotomy and 124 (84%) had laparoscopic Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication. Of the 149 patients, 79 patients (53%) had previous treatment (56 patients [71%], balloon dilatation; 7 patients [9%], botulinum toxin injection; 16 patients [20%], both) and 70 patients (43%) had none of these treatments. Mean postoperative followup was 59 +/- 36 months. Patients were divided into two groups: group A, operated on between 1991 and 1995; and group B, operated on between 1996 and 2001. In the past decade, the number of patients referred for surgery has increased substantially--group A, 48; group B, 101; an increasing proportion of patients were referred for surgery without previous treatment--group A, 38%; group B, 51%; and the outcomes of the operation progressively improved--group A, 87%; group B, 95%. These data show that the high success rate of laparoscopic Heller myotomy for achalasia has brought a shift in practice; surgery has become the preferred treatment of most gastroenterologists and other referring physicians. This has followed documentation that laparoscopic treatment outperforms balloon dilatation and botulinum toxin injection.

A decision analysis of the optimal initial approach to achalasia: laparoscopic Heller myotomy with partial fundoplication, thoracoscopic Heller myotomy, pneumatic dilatation, or botulinum toxin injection

In the absence of randomized controlled trials that directly compare all of the modern methods of managing achalasia, decision analysis may help determine the optimal treatment strategy. Four strategies for the initial management of achalasia were compared using the following decision model: (1) laparoscopic Heller myotomy and partial fundoplication; (2) pneumatic dilatation; (3) botulinum toxin injection; and (4) thoracoscopic Heller myotomy. Probabilities of clinical events and utilities of health states were estimated using review of the medical literature and patient interviews. A recursive decision tree (Markov model) was used to simulate all the important outcomes of each initial treatment option, allowing for complications, relapses over time, and transitions between strategies when appropriate. After 10 years, laparoscopic Heller myotomy with partial fundoplication was associated with the longest quality-adjusted survival (quality-adjusted life years [QALY] = 7.41). The difference between this strategy and either pneumatic dilatation or botulinum toxin injection was small. Thoracoscopic Heller myotomy was associated with the poorest quality-adjusted survival (QALY = 7.15). Pneumatic dilatation was the favored strategy when the effectiveness of laparoscopic surgery at relieving dysphagia was less than 89.7%, the operative mortality risk was greater than 0.7%, or the probability of reflux after pneumatic dilatation was less than 19%. In a decision model, laparoscopic Heller myotomy with partial fundoplication is at least as effective as endoscopic approaches for managing achalasia symptoms. However, the differences are small enough that patient preferences and local expertise should be taken into consideration when tailoring a treatment plan for an individual patient.

Thoracoscopic versus laparoscopic modified Heller myotomy for achalasia: efficacy and safety in 87 patients

Background: The ideal treatment for achalasia permanently eliminates the dysfunctional lower esophageal sphincter, relieving dysphagia and regurgitation; prevents gastroesophageal reflux; and has an acceptable morbidity rate. Controversy exists concerning whether the thoracoscopic Heller Myotomy (THM) or laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) technique is the best approach to a modified Heller myotomy for achalasia. Study Design: We performed a retrospective comparison of the patient characteristics, operative results, postoperative symptoms, and the learning curves for the procedures of 24 patients undergoing THM and 63 patients undergoing LHM between 1991 and 1998. Results: Preoperative patient variables in each group revealed similar distributions for age, gender, and prevalence of previous pneumatic dilation. Mean operating room (OR) times were 4.3 hours (range 2.9 to 5.6 hours) for THM and 3.0 hours (range 1.5 to 6.5 hours) for LHM (p = 0.01). Three esophageal perforations occurred in the THM group and two in the LHM group. Conversion to an open procedure took place in five THM operations (21%) and one LHM operation (2%) (p = 0.005). There were no postoperative esophageal leaks. Mean postoperative length of stay (LOS) for THM was 6.1 days (range 1 to 17 days) and for LHM was 4.0 days (range 1 to 12 days) (p = 0.03). Learning-curve analysis of the first 24 LHM patients compared with the most recent 24 revealed greater OR time in the first 24 mean 3.6 hours, (range 2.0 to 6.5 hours) versus mean 2.3 hours, (range 1.5 to 3.7 hours; p = 0.01), and greater LOS mean 5.5 days, (range 3 to 12 days) versus mean 3.1 days, (range 1 to 8 days; p < 0.01). One esophageal perforation occurred in each subgroup. A similar analysis in the first 12 THM patients compared with the most recent 12 revealed no significant improvement in OR times or LOS. Three esophageal perforations occurred in the latter subgroup only. All patients had preoperative daily dysphagia to solids. Followup data for LHM (n = 49) (median 17 months, range 1 to 39 months) and THM (n = 15) (median 42 months, range 1 to 69 months) revealed no or minimal dysphagia in 90% (44 of 49) after LHM and 31% (4 of 13) after THM (p < 0.01). No or minimal heartburn was present in 89% (41 of 46) after LHM and 67% (8 of 12) after THM (p < 0.05). Regurgitation was absent or minimal in 94% (46 of 49) after LHM and 86% (12 of 14) after THM (p = 0.3). Conclusions: LHM was associated with decreased OR time, decreased rate of conversion to an open procedure, and shorter LOS compared with THM. LHM was superior to THM in relieving dysphagia and preventing heartburn. LHM may be the preferred surgical treatment of achalasia in some patients.

Comparison of thoracoscopic and laparoscopic heller myotomy for achalasia

For more than three decades experts have debated the relative merits of thoracoscopic Heller myotomy (no antireflux procedure) vs. laparoscopic Heller myotomy plus Dor fundoplication for treatment of achalasia. The aim of this study was to compare the results of these two methods with respect to (1) relief of dysphagia, (2) incidence of postoperative gastroesophageal reflux, and (3) hospital course. Sixty patients with esophageal achalasia were operated on between 1991 and 1996. Thirty underwent a thoracoscopic Heller myotomy and 30 had a laparoscopic Heller myotomy with a Dor fundoplication. The two groups were similar with respect to demographic characteristics, clinical findings, and extent of manometric abnormalities. Preoperative pH monitoring showed abnormal reflux in two patients in the laparoscopic group. Average hospital stay was 84 hours for the thoracoscopic group and 42 hours for the laparoscopic group. Excellent (no dysphagia) or good (dysphagia less than once a week) results were obtained in 87% of patients in the thoracoscopic group and in 90% of patients in the laparoscopic group. Postoperative pH monitoring showed abnormal reflux in 6 (60%) of 10 patients in the thoracoscopic group and in 1 (10%) of 10 patients in the laparoscopic group. The two patients in the laparoscopic group who had reflux preoperatively had normal reflux scores postoperatively. Laparoscopic Heller myotomy with Dor fundoplication was found to be superior to thoracoscopic Heller myotomy. Both operations relieved dysphagia, but the laparoscopic approach avoided postoperative reflux and even corrected reflux present preoperatively. In addition, the patients were more comfortable and left the hospital earlier following a laparoscopic myotomy. Whether it is truly possible to perform a Heller myotomy without an antireflux procedure in a way that relieves dysphagia and regularly avoids reflux remains questionable.

Thoracoscopic esophagomyotomy for achalasia: Maximum gain, minimal pain

Background . Achalasia can be effectively treated by either hydrostatic balloon dilatation or transthoracic modified Heller myotomy. The purpose of this study was to determine whether thoracoscopic methods could be used to achieve surgical results equal to the transthoracic approach with less pain. Methods . Twenty-one patients (10 men, 11 women; median age 42 years) had the diagnosis of achalasia confirmed by manometry, radiography, and endoscopy. All had dysphagia; five had weight loss. Median duration of symptoms was 12 months (range: 1 to 360 months). Eleven patients had undergone previous unsuccessful hydrostatic dilatation. Mean esophageal diameter was 5.5 ± 2.2 cm. Results . All patients underwent attempted modified Heller myotomy through a left thoracoscopic approach. Three patients required conversion to thoracotomy. The myotomy was extended < 1 cm past the squamocolumnar junction. There was one intraoperative perforation and no postoperative complications. All patients were begun on a regular diet on the first postoperative morning. Median length of stay was 2 days. Median follow-up was 22 months (range: 1 to 52 months). Sixteen patients (80%) had excellent relief of their dysphagia. Two patients (10%) had good relief, and two patients had only a fair result, although even they claim to be much improved. Conclusions . Thoracoscopic Heller myotomy reproduces the superior results of open esophagomyotomy with a reduced hospitalization and reduced incisional pain and disability.

Laparoscopic or thoracoscopic heller myotomy for achalasia-an evaluation of antireflux procedures: [formula omitted]. Departments of Surgery, Creighton University Medical School, Omaha NE & Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland OR

Laparoscopic or thoracoscopic heller myotomy for achalasia-an evaluation of antireflux procedures: [formula omitted]. Departments of Surgery, Creighton University Medical School, Omaha NE & Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland OR