Return of esophageal peristalsis after Heller's myotomy for idiopathic achalasia

A 23-year-old male was diagnosed as having idiopathic achalasia on the basis of clinical, radiologic, endoscopic, and manometric evaluation. He underwent a Heller's myotomy with 180 degrees posterior fundoplication as an antireflux procedure, and he did well subsequently. On reexamination one month later, return of peristaltic activity throughout the body of the esophagus was shown on manometric studies. Two years after the operation, peptic esophagitis was diagnosed by esophagoscopy, and the acid reflux test confirmed the existence of gastroesophageal reflux. To our knowledge, this represents the first reported case of return of esophageal peristalsis in idiopathic achalasia after surgical myotomy.     

Functional analysis of long‐term outcome after Heller's myotomy for achalasia

Treatment of achalasia aims at reducing the pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and palliate symptoms. Our objective in this study was to investigate functional changes of the esophagus after Heller myotomy and evaluate their influence on postoperative gastroesophageal reflux and esophageal morphologic changes. Between 1980 and 2003, 216 patients with achalasia underwent Heller myotomy, associated with anterior partial fundoplication (Dor fundoplication). Preoperative and long‐term outcome data were collected from these patients at our hospital. The objective was to analyze esophageal functional results after Heller myotomy in the long term. Results were classified as excellent, good, fair, or poor, according to Vantrappen and Hellemans’ modified classification. One‐year, 2‐year, 5‐year, 10‐year, and 20‐year postoperative follow‐up information was available in 100% of all patients, 91.7%, 85.1%, 60%, 52.6%, and 45.9%, respectively. There were no perioperative deaths. One year after the surgery, all patients had a significant reduction in symptoms of dysphagia and regurgitation. Five years, 10 years, 15 years, and 20 years after surgery, there were 77.2% of patients (142 in 184), 68.1%, 57.1%, and 54.5%, respectively, who were satisfied (excellent to good) with surgery. No esophageal peristalsis was demonstrated in patients during follow‐up. Contractile waves in the body of the esophagus were simultaneous. The difference in the distal esophageal amplitude, the LES relaxation rate, and LES pressures in the anterior wall and/ or two sides was significant (P < 0.05) when compared before and after operation. However, there was no significant difference in the LES length and LES pressure in the posterior side. The change of direction of the LES pressure and the relaxation of LES correlate with long‐term outcomes. Postoperative gastroesophageal reflux rates, including nocturnal reflux, increased with time. The percentage of patients whose esophageal diameter became normal or remained mildly increased with time in the first 10 years after surgery changed significantly. Myotomy is an effective way to palliate symptoms in patients with achalasia. Adequate myotomy can lead to reduction of LES pressure in two or three directions, which may facilitate esophageal emptying by gravity. Surgical intervention does not lead to the return of esophageal peristalsis. Functional damage of LES in patients with achalasia is irreversible.     

Barrett's Esophagus after Cardiomyotomy for Esophageal Achalasia

Heller's myotomy for esophageal achalasia was performed on 64 patients in the 24 yr up to 1988. After follow-up averaging 13 yr, 46 patients were reexamined with endoscopy, biopsy, and manometry. Barrett's metaplasia of the distal esophagus was found in four patients 6, 13, 20, and 23 yr after the myotomy. These four also underwent ambulatory 24-h pH monitoring. They had the lowest distal esophageal sphincter pressures (1–5 mm Hg), and all four had symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux and pathologic pH values (<4 in the distal esophagus for 32–62% of the total recording time). Because of heightened risk for the development of Barrett's metaplasia following cardiomotomy for esophageal achalasia, with increased liability to carcinoma of the esophagus, regular endoscopic surveillance of these patients is advisable.     

Objective assessment of gastroesophageal reflux after extended Heller myotomy and total fundoplication for achalasia with the use of 24‐hour combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH monitoring (MII‐pH)

SUMMARY. This study aims to evaluate by the use of 24‐hour combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH monitoring (MII‐pH) the efficacy of the Nissen fundoplication in controlling both acid and nonacid gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in patients that underwent Heller myotomy for achalasia. It has been demonstrated that fundoplication prevents the pathologic acid GER after Heller myotomy, but no objective data exists on the efficacy of this antireflux surgery in controlling all types of reflux events. The study population consisted of 20 patients that underwent laparoscopic Heller myotomy and Nissen fundoplication for achalasia. All patients were investigated with manometry and MII‐pH. MII‐pH showed no evidence of postoperative pathologic GER. The overall number of GER episodes was normal in both the upright and recumbent position. This reduction was obtained because of the postoperative control of both the acid and nonacid reflux episodes. The Nissen fundoplication adequately controls both acid and nonacid GER after extended Heller myotomy. Further controls with MII‐pH are warranted to check at a longer follow‐up for the efficacy of this antireflux procedure in achalasic patients.     

Partial fundoplications for gastroesophageal reflux disease: indications and current status.

The Nissen fundoplication, and in particular the laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication, has received widespread acceptance as the most definitive therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease. There remains, however, certain patients who do better with a less aggressive surgical augmentation of the lower esophageal sphincter. Partial fundoplications originated in the early 1960s as an alternative procedure to the Nissen, which was associated with moderately high rates of postoperative side effects. These "more physiologic" procedures have proved successful in the treatment of reflux disease in patients with poor or no esophageal motility. In particular, the use of partial fundoplications in association with Heller's myotomy for achalasia has been demonstrated to be well tolerated and to reduce the risk of late dysphasia resulting from uncontrolled gastroesophageal reflux (GER). The use of partial fundoplications in GER patients with normal motility, however, has been less successful. High recurrence rates are documented by many centers with the main cause appearing to be related to a less competent neo-lower esophageal sphincter and a higher rate of wrap herniation. This has led to the current practice of a "tailored approach" to reflux disease, in which all patients receive a thorough preoperative physiologic evaluation to determine the best antireflux procedure for the individual. This is generally a Nissen repair for those with normal motility and either an extrashort "floppy" Nissen or a partial wrap for those with impaired peristalsis.     

Peroral endoscopic myotomy outcomes: Efficacy and gastroesophageal reflux disease

Achalasia is a well-defined neuromuscular disorder of esophageal swallowing function characterized by a nonrelaxing lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and aperistalsis of the esophageal body. Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a flexible endoscopic approach to perform a selective circular myotomy of the distal esophagus and proximal stomach. More than a thousand cases have been performed worldwide. Most early reports on POEM focus on its feasibility and safety. Emerging long-term series have reported excellent subjective and objective outcomes of dysphagia relief for achalasia. With increasing experience, centers are expanding indications to end-stage achalasia and nonachalasia neuromuscular disorders such as diffuse esophageal spasm and nonrelaxing LES with hypertensive esophageal body contractions. The postoperative gastroesophageal reflux post-POEM is an issue that requires close objective follow-up, as the correlation of subjective reflux symptoms and objective testing in this setting is poor. Few series have indeed reported on equivalent excellent outcomes post-POEM as compared with a laparoscopic myotomy. This early experience with POEM has demonstrated the validity of this new technique in the management of benign disorders of esophageal swallowing. Refinements in technique and decreases in gastroesophageal reflux disease may make this procedure even more desirable, and potentially the first-line therapy in the management of spastic disorders of the esophagus.     

Long-term effects of myotomy and partial fundoplication for esophageal achalasia.

Controversy persists in the surgical approach to treat esophageal achalasia. This investigation reports the long-term effects of esophageal myotomy and partial fundoplication in treating this disorder. From 1984 to 1998, 32 patients with achalasia underwent myotomy and partial fundoplication (Belsey Mark IV) using a left thoracotomy. The median follow up is 7.2 years. Assessments include clinical evaluation, esophagogram, radionuclide transit, manometry, 24-h pH, and endoscopy. There is no complication and no mortality. Preoperative assessment was compared with that in 0-3, 3-7, and 7-16 postoperative years. Clinically, the prevalence of dysphagia was decreased from 100% to 6%, 12%, and 13%, respectively (P < 0.001). Heartburn remains unchanged (P > 0.25). On radiology, the prevalence of barium stasis was decreased from 97% to 44%, 48%, and 47%, respectively (P=0.001), whereas a pseudo-diverticulum was observed in two-thirds of patients after operation (P=0.001). Percent radionuclide stasis at 2 min was measured as 70%, 17%, 20%, and 20%, respectively (P=0.001). Manometrically, lower esophageal sphincter (LES) gradient was decreased from 29 to 10, 9, and 9 mmHg, respectively (P=0.001). LES relaxation was improved from 41% preoperatively to 100% postoperatively at each postoperative period (P < 0.001). An abnormal acid exposure was observed in four patients after the operation. Endoscopy documented mucosal damage in three patients (P > 0.25). In conclusion, on long-term follow up, myotomy and partial fundoplication for achalasia relieve obstructive symptoms and improve esophageal emptying, and reduce LES gradient and improve LES relaxation. Acid reflux is recorded in 13% of patients and esophageal mucosal damage is identified in 11% of the patient population. A longer myotomy not covered by the fundoplication results in pseudodiverticulum formation and increased esophageal retention.     

A comprehensive analysis of partial peristalsis recovery after peroral endoscopic myotomy in patients with achalasia

Objective

To determine whether peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) improves esophageal peristalsis and to investigate the association between recovery of esophageal peristalsis after POEM and clinical features of the patients.

Methods

In this single-center retrospective study, data were collected from medical records of the patients with achalasia who underwent POEM between January 2014 and May 2016. Demographics data, high-resolution esophageal manometry parameters, Eckardt score, and gastroesophageal reflux disease questionnaire (GERD-Q) score were collected. Weak and fragmented contraction was defined as partial recovery of esophageal peristalsis based on the Chicago classification version 3.0. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify variables associated with the partial recovery of peristalsis after POEM.

Results

A total of 103 patients were enrolled. Esophageal contractile activity was observed in the distal two-thirds of the esophagus in 24 patients. The Eckardt score, integrated relaxation pressure, and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) resting pressure were significantly decreased after POEM. Multivariate analysis revealed that preprocedural LES resting pressure (P = 0.013) and preprocedural Eckardt score (P = 0.002) were related to the partial recovery of peristalsis after POEM. Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux and reflux esophagitis after POEM were less frequent in those with partial recovery of peristalsis (both P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Normalization of esophagogastric junction relaxation pressure achieved by POEM is associated with the partial recovery of esophageal peristalsis in patients with achalasia. Preprocedural LES resting pressure and the Eckardt score are predictive of the recovery of esophageal peristalsis.     

Results of surgical treatment of achalasia of the esophagus.

Surgical treatment of patients with achalasia of the esophagus results in dramatic and permanent relief in almost 90% of the patients. The abdominal approach seems to produce more reflux than the thoracic route. There is evidence that extending myotomy more than 10 mm onto the stomach increases reflux. The length of the hypertensive gastroesophageal sphincter is almost 4 cms and an anterior esophagomyotomy of 5 to 6 cms is long enough in these patients. Extending the section 7 to 10 cms proximally would seem to be unnecessary and may provoke more reflux. The mortality rate of the surgical procedure is very low--less than 0.2%. Postoperative complications can occur in almost 4% of them, esophageal leakage being the most dangerous. The most frequent late complication is gastroesophageal reflux, which can occur symptomatically in 10% of the cases and by objective studies in almost 20% of the patients. The addition of antireflux surgery is controversial. If performed, it must be ensured that no obstruction can occur; esophageal emptying in an aperistalsic esophagus can be seriously delayed. Comparative studies suggest that the addition of antireflux surgery gives better results than myotomy alone. Surgeons performing this operative technique should be specialized digestive tract surgeons and familiar with manometric studies.     

Pneumatic dilatation for achalasia after fundoplication

Dysphagia invariably worsens when an antireflux procedure without myotomy is performed in achalasia for a mistaken diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease. There is little in the medical literature, however, to guide its optimal management. I describe two patients in whom pneumatic dilatation provided symptomatic improvement. This complication is entirely avoidable if the clinician pays careful attention to the clinical features of the case (especially the history and barium esophagram) and performs an esophageal motility study.     

Laparoscopic Heller myotomy with or without partial fundoplication： A matter of debate

AIM: To present our experience of laparoscopic Heller stretching myotomy followed by His angle reconstruction as surgical approach to esophageal achalasia. METHODS: Thirty-two patients underwent laparoscopic Heller myotomy; an anterior partial fundoplication in 17, and angle of His reconstruction in 15 cases represented the antireflux procedure of choice. RESULTS: There were no morbidity and mortality recorded in both anterior funduplication and angle of His reconstruction groups. No differences were detected in terms of recurrent dysphagia, p.o. reflux or medical therapy. CONCLUSION: To reduce the incidence of recurrent achalasia after laparoscopic Heller myotomy, we believe that His' angle reconstruction is a safe and effective alternative to the anterior fundoplication.     

Controversies in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux and achalasia

The immense success of laparoscopic surgery as an effective treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and achalasia has established minimal invasive surgery as the gold standard for these two conditions with lower morbidity and mortality, shorter hospital stay, faster convalescence, and less postoperative pain. One controversy in the treatment of GERD evolves around laparoscopic antireflux surgery (LARS) as the preferred treatment for Barrett's esophagus and the procedure's potential to reduce the risk of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. GERD has also been associated with respiratory symptoms, asthma and laryngeal injury, and a second controversy prompts discussions about whether total or partial fundoplication is the more appropriate treatment for GERD. A new and promising alternative in the treatment of GERD is endoluminal therapy. Three types of this new treatment option will be discussed: radiofrequency energy delivered to the lower esophageal sphincter, the creation of a mechanical barrier at the gastroesophageal junction, and the direct endoscopic tightening of the lower esophageal sphincter. Laparoscopic surgery is discussed not only as a very effective treatment for GERD but also as permanent cure for achalasia. This review analyzes the three most important treatment options for achalasia: medications, pneumatic dilatation, and surgical therapy. Medications as the only true non-invasive option in the treatment of achalasia are not as effective as LARS because of their short half-life and variable absorption due to the poor esophageal emptying. The second treatment option, pneumatic dilatation, involves the stretching of the lower esophagus and is still considered the most effective non-surgical treatment for achalasia. Finally, surgical therapy for achalasia and the two major controversies concerning this laparoscopic treatment are discussed. The first involves the extent to which the myotomy is extended onto the stomach, and the second concerns the necessity and type of antireflux procedure to prevent GERD after myotomy. LARS and laparoscopic Heller myotomy are the agreed upon as the gold standards for surgical treatment of GERD and achalasia, respectively. In the hands of an experienced laparoscopic surgeon both are safe and effective treatments for patients with excellent subjective and objective long-term results with at least 90% patient satisfaction.     

Heller''s esophagomyotomy with or without a 360° floppy Nissen fundoplication for achalasia. Long-term results from a prospective randomized study

Heller's esophagomyotomy relieves dysphagia but does not restore esophageal peristalsis. The myotomy may induce reflux and the addition of a 360 degrees fundoplication may be hazardous with regard to the remaining aperistaltic esophagus. The aim of this prospectively randomized clinical trial was to compare the outcome for patients with uncomplicated achalasia who underwent an anterior Heller's esophagomyotomy (H group) with or without an additional floppy Nissen fundoplication (H + N group). Between 1984 and 1995, 20 patients were prospectively randomized to one or other of the performed operations, 10 patients per group. Esophagitis including Barrett's esophagus (n = 2) was seen under medical treatment, in 6 of 9 in the H group but none in the H + N group. No patient in the H + N group required postoperative continuous acid-reducing drugs. Twenty-four-hour esophageal pH-studies in median 3.4 years after surgery showed pathological reflux expressed as a percentage of time below pH 4 of 13.1% in the H group compared to 0.15% (P < 0.001) in H + N group. One patient with recurrent dysphagia in the H + N group later had an esophagectomy. The remaining patients reported significant improvement of dysphagia without symptoms of reflux at 8.0 years follow-up. Heller's esophagomyotomy eliminates dysphagia, but can induce advanced reflux that requires medical treatment. The addition of a 360 degrees fundoplication eliminates reflux without adding dysphagia in the majority of patients and can be recommended for most patients with uncomplicated achalasia.     

贲门失弛缓症治疗方式的探讨

目的比较胸腔镜辅助Heller手术、开胸Heller手术、消化内镜下球囊扩张及消化内镜下肉毒毒素注射治疗贲门失弛缓症疗效，探讨贲门失弛缓症合理有效的治疗方法。方法81例贲门失弛缓症患者按不同治疗方式分为4组：胸腔镜辅助Heller手术18例；开胸Heller手术21例；消化内镜下球囊扩张22例；肉毒毒素注射治疗20例。比较各组治疗前后症状评分、食管末端直径、食管下段括约肌压力、食管末端pH和各组有效率。结果4组患者治疗前后相比，症状评分、食管末端直径、食管下段括约肌压力、食管末端pH差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05），治疗有效率胸腔镜组为94．4％、开胸组为95．2％、球囊扩张组为63．6％、肉毒素注射组为55．0％，Heller手术较消化内镜下治疗更为有效（P〈0．05）。结论Heller手术治疗效果较球囊扩张及肉毒素注射为佳，胸腔镜辅助Heller手术较开胸Heller手术具有创伤小、恢复快、住院时间短等优势。     

Achalasie – welche Heilungsmethode soll für ?ltere Patienten gew?hlt werden?

Background Achalasia is an uncommon illness affecting 1 per 100,000 patients a year. It encompasses a rare, primary motor disorder of the distal esophagus. Methods Over the period 1998-2006, 115 patients underwent various treatments for achalasia; the subgroup of seniors consisted of 26 patients. Six patients of these (age 69.7 y) underwent a modified Heller cardiomyotomy due to failure of previous endoscopic interventions. Standard esophageal manometry and 24 hour pH metry were performed pre- and postoperatively. Results Six senior patients with achalasia underwent a laparoscopic Heller myotomy. Average preoperative tonus of the LES was 55 mmHg, postoperative tonus of the LES decreased to 11 mmHg. We performed Toupet partial fundoplication in all patients; no microperforation of the esophagus was found in the preoperative esophagoscopy. We recorded minimal pathological gastroesophageal reflux in pH metry – the average preoperative DeMeester score was 8, postoperatively 10.5. Prolonged dysphagia was not present in any patient – preoperative GIQLI score was 94, postoperative score was 106. There was no mortality or morbidity in the group of the operated patients. Conclusion Our operational results and postoperative follow-up show that laparoscopic Heller myotomy with Toupet partial fundoplication is a safe and effective treatment and can be recommended as the method of first choice for senior patients with no contraindication for laparoscopic operation.     

胃食管反流病食管测压与24小时pH监测的相关性研究

目的：对５２例有胃食管反流症状的患者进行食管测压及２４小时ｐＨ监测，运用统计学方法分析测压和ｐＨ结果，研究其相关性。方法：应用多导胃肠功能测定仪及便携式ｐＨ监测记录仪，对５２例有胃食管反流症状的患者进行食管测压及２４小时ｐＨ监测。结果：应用多元回归分析发现，ｐＨ的百分比和腹段下食管括约肌（ＬＥＳ）的长度、ＬＥＳ静息压及远端食管的蠕动压明显相关。依据测压及ｐＨ结果，使用ｔ检验方法，结果提示食管蠕动压不仅与ｐＨ＜４的百分化相关，也与酸反流大于５分钟的时间、最长反流时间有关（Ｐ＜００１）。结论：腹段ＬＥＳ的长度及食管下段的蠕动收缩是重要的抗反流屏障。食管酸暴露时间延长减弱食管体部酸清除能力     

Modern management of achalasia

Opinion statement The goals in the treatment of achalasia are threefold: 1) relieving the symptoms, particularly dysphagia and bland regurgitation; 2) improving esophageal emptying by disrupting the poorly relaxing lower esophageal sphincter (LES); and 3) preventing the development of megaesophagus. Although achalasia cannot be permanently cured, excellent palliation is available in over 90% of patients, especially those with pneumatic dilation and laparoscopic Heller myotomy. The efficacy for short- and long-term therapy seems to be similar when performed by experts. Pneumatic dilation done as an outpatient surgery disrupts the LES muscle from within by using balloons of progressively larger diameter (3.0, 3.5, and 4.0 cm). Repeat dilations may be required; secondary severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is rare, but approximately 2% of patients will have an esophageal perforation. A surgical Heller myotomy is now being done laparoscopically through the abdomen that cuts the LES and extends the myotomy 2 to 3 cm onto the stomach. Usually 2 days of hospitalization is required, and patients can normally return to work in 1 to 2 weeks. Severe GERD with esophagitis and peptic stricture is a common complication; therefore, most surgeons combine the myotomy with an incomplete fundoplication. Medical therapy is much less effective than these invasive procedures. Smooth muscle relaxants (nitrates and calcium channel blockers) taken immediately before meals improve dysphagia, but side effects and drug tolerance are common. The injection of botulinum toxin (100 to 200 units) endoscopically into the LES gives short-term relief of symptoms and improves esophageal emptying. This treatment is most effective in the elderly, as symptom relief can last up to 1 to 2 years with a single injection. Several studies suggest the most cost-effective management of achalasia is initial treatment with pneumatic dilation.     

Antireflux surgery for symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux

To determine the effects of Nissen fundoplication upon the symptoms of reflux and the diagnostic tests employed to evaluate reflux and to examine the relationship between gastroesophageal reflux and lower esophageal sphincter pressure before and after fundoplication, 10 patients with symptomatic reflux were studied before and after operation. Clinical evaluation, barium esophagography, endoscopy with mucosal biopsy, esophageal manometry, acid-perfusion and acid-reflux testing, and gastroesophageal scintiscanning were performed on each patient before and after surgery. Following fundoplication, marked symptomatic, radiographic, endoscopic, and histologic improvement was observed. Serial acid-reflux tests at increasing gastroesophageal pressure gradients returned to normal after surgery. Lower-esophageal-sphincter (LES) pressure increased from 8.2±1.3 to 12.0±1.5 mm Hg (P<0.01). In addition, surgery resulted in a significant decrease in the gastroesophageal reflux index from 17.4±2.4 to 2.7±1.1% (P<0.001). Surprisingly, the pre- and postoperative resting LES pressures did not correlate significantly with corresponding gastroesophageal reflux indices for individual patients. We conclude that increased LES pressure alone does not explain adequately the functional and clinical improvement which follows fundoplication.     

Lower esophageal sphincter relaxation characteristics using a sleeve sensor in clinical manometry

Objective: We undertook this study to determine the characteristics of swallow-induced lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation in the setting of clinical manometry using a standardized methodology.
Methods: We reviewed 170 manometric recordings performed using a perfused manometric assembly with a sleeve sensor and a computer polygraph. Patients were categorized as patient controls, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), diffuse esophageal spasm (DES), or achalasia. Tracing were semiautomatically analyzed for basal LES pressure, LES pressure during deglutitive relaxation (relaxation LES pressure), duration of LES relaxation, timing of LES relaxation, and the success rate of primary peristalsis.
Results: Forty-six patient controls, 93 with GERD, five with DES, and 26 with achalasia were identified. GERD and achalasia patients had lower or higher basal LES pressures than patient controls, respectively. Compared with patient controls, achalasia patients had higher relaxation LES pressures, lower percent LES relaxation, and shorter durations of LES relaxation. The best single measure for distinguishing achalasia was the relaxation LES pressure; using the 95th percentile value of patient controls (12 mm Hg) as the upper limit of normal, its sensitivity and positive predictive value for the diagnosis of achalasia were 92% and 88%, respectively. Coupled with the finding of aperistalsis, a relaxation LES pressure ≥10 mm Hg achieved 100% sensitivity and positive predictive value among these patients.
Conclusion: Sleeve sensor recording is a practical method for clinical manometry that reliably records LES relaxation characteristics and is amenable to both a standardized manometry protocol and a semiautomated analysis routine. Relaxation LES pressure has a high diagnostic value for achalasia.     

Management of achalasia with transabdominal esophagocardiomyotomy and partial posterior fundoplication

In this article we present our experience in the management of achalasia. From May 1988 through August 2005, 71 patients with achalasia underwent transabdominal esophagocardiomyotomy and partial posterior fundoplication. Barium swallow, manometry, and 24-h pH studies were performed in all patients preoperatively. Manometry and 24-h pH monitoring were only carried out in 58 patients at the third post-operative week and in 43 patients during follow-up, even though 52 patients were included in the follow-up. There were no operative deaths or complications. All the 71 patients were able to eat semifluid or solid food without dysphagia and heartburn at discharge. Esophageal barium studies showed that the maximum esophageal diameter decreased 2.2 cm and the minimum gastroesophageal junction diameter increased 8.4 mm after operation. Manometry examination in 58 patients revealed that the lower esophageal sphincter resting pressure decreased 15.0 mmHg in the wake of the procedure. Twenty-four hour pH monitoring demonstrated that reflux events were within the normal post-operative range. Fifty-five of the 58 patients had normal DeMeester scores. Among the patients with a mean 90-month follow-up, 49 patients had normal intake of food without reflux, the remaining three had mild dysphagia without requiring treatment. All the patients resumed their preoperative work and social activities. The manometry and 24-h pH studies in the 43 patients showed there were no significant changes between the third post-operative week and during follow-up. Transabdominal esophagocardiomyotomy and posterior partial fundoplication are able to relieve the functional outflow obstruction of the lower esophageal sphincter, obviate the rehealing of the myotomy edge and prevent gastroesophageal reflux in patients who have undergone myotomy alone.