腹腔镜手术治疗胃食管反流病和贲门失弛缓症

目的:探索三种腹腔镜胃底折叠术治疗胃食管反流病及Heller肌切开术治疗贲门失弛缓症的安全性与可行性。方法:1995年12月至2004年9月,经腹腔镜手术治疗了胃食管反流病人45例和贲门失弛缓病人5例。术前常规行胃镜与上消化道钡餐检查者50例,加行食管测酸、测压检查者39例。腹腔镜单纯胃底折叠术10例(Nissen式1例,Toupet式9例);腹腔镜食管裂孔疝修补加胃底折叠术35例(Nissen式11例,Toupet式24例)。Heller肌切开术加Dor胃底折叠术5例。结果:全组病人的平均手术时间为120(60～360)min,术中平均出血量15(10～100)ml,术后日平均引流量20(10～100)ml,平均住院7(5～12)d。其中前10例使用电刀者平均用时210(180～360)min,中转开腹1例;后40例使用超声刀者平均用时100(60～180)min。术中脾被膜划破出血2例,12例Nissen式胃底折叠术后有1例出现吞咽困难,1月后缓解。42例获随访的病人中40例不再需要服药。其中5例Heller肌切开术Dor胃底折叠术病人术后第2天即可顺畅进食,且无反流。结论:与传统的经胸或经腹手术相比,腹腔镜抗反流手术治疗胃食管反流病和Heller肌切开贲门失弛缓症的病人具有心肺干扰小、麻醉难度低、创伤小、痛苦轻、并发症少、住院时间短、康复快、疗效好等突出优点。经过不断改进手术设计和加强训练可使?     

胃食管结合部常见良性疾病的腹腔镜治疗

目的探讨腹腔镜手术治疗胃食管结合部常见良性疾病（胃食管反流病和贲门失弛缓症）的可行性和临床应用价值。方法2001年6月～2009年6月,对283例胃食管反流病（GERD组）实施腹腔镜胃底折叠术,其中Nissen胃底折叠术127例,Toupet胃底折叠术55例,Dor胃底折叠术101例;对33例贲门失弛缓症（贲门失弛缓症组）实施腹腔镜Heller肌切开联合Dor胃底折叠术。结果全组无中转开腹,手术时间60～125min,平均78min;术中出血量40～120ml,平均66ml;术后住院时间3～21d,平均4.2d。术后临床症状均得到缓解,无严重并发症及死亡病例。术后3个月复查胃镜、上消化道造影、食管测压和24hpH检测均恢复正常。GERD组272例随访3个月～8年,平均3.5年,对手术结果满意率95.6%（260/272）,21例有进固体食物时轻度哽噎感,6例反酸症状复发,使用抑酸药物可控制。贲门失弛缓症组33例随访3个月～4年,平均2.1年,均可正常进食,无吞咽困难或反酸表现。结论腹腔镜手术治疗胃食管结合部良性病变具有独特优势,充分体现微创手术创伤小、恢复快、安全可行、疗效可靠的优点。     

经腹腔镜改良Heller手术加胃底折叠术治疗贲门失弛缓症

目的:探讨腹腔镜治疗贲门失弛缓症的方法及其优势。方法:经腹腔镜行食管贲门括约肌切开术(改良Heller手术)加胃底折叠术治疗贲门失弛缓症1例。结果:手术顺利,手术时间140m in,术中出血量30m l。患者术后第3天进软食无异常后出院。术后3个月食管下括约肌(LES)残留压、松弛率以及食管基础压均恢复正常,钡餐结果显示为正常食管影像,24h食管pH值测定正常,未见返流。随访6个月,症状无反复。结论:经腹腔镜改良Heller手术加胃底折叠术治疗贲门失弛缓症具有创伤小,术后康复快,疗效确切等优点。     

腹腔镜联合胃镜微创治疗贲门失弛缓症26例分析

目的 探讨采用腹腔镜联合胃镜微创手术治疗贲门失弛缓症的可行性及临床价值。方法 2005年12月至2009年3月,天津市南开医院对26例贲门失弛缓症病人实施腹腔镜Heller括约肌切开加Dor胃底折叠术,术中联合胃镜进行定位、检查,对围手术期相关指标进行分析,并随访观察治疗效果。结果 26例均完成腹腔镜手术,无中转开腹病例,术后无严重并发症。1例术中食管黏膜破损,经胃镜证实后行腹腔镜下修补术,随访观察4～42个月无吞咽困难,1例术后1年内出现轻度胃食管反流及胸骨后疼痛症状,术后3个月复查食管测压、胃镜、上消化道造影提示均基本恢复正常。结论 腹腔镜治疗贲门失弛缓症具有手术创伤小、恢复快、疗效可靠的特点,术中联合胃镜操作可提高手术安全性,减少并发症的发生。     

腹腔镜Heller手术治疗贲门失弛缓症的初步临床经验

目的总结腹腔镜Heller手术治疗贲门失弛缓症的初步临床经验。方法2005年2～8月，对肺功能较差、合并肾功能不全或怀疑存在胸膜腔粘连的8例贲门失弛缓症行腹腔镜下Heller联合Dor胃底折叠手术，并进行随访。结果手术时间70～184min，平均103．8min；1例术中食管穿孔改开腹手术修补成功；术后住院3～10d，平均5．1d。术后随访1～6个月，平均3．8月，7例症状缓解，1例轻度吞咽困难。全组无手术死亡。结论腹腔镜具有刨伤小、术中暴露较佳、术后恢复快、术后住院时间短等优点，腹腔镜下Heller术可作为贲门失弛缓症的首选治疗方法，但是否附加胃底折叠术仍需进一步探讨。     

免气腹辅助3D腹腔镜改良Heller肌切开联合Dor胃底折叠治疗贲门失弛缓症

目的探讨免气腹辅助3D腹腔镜改良Heller肌切开联合Dor胃底折叠治疗贲门失弛缓症的临床价值。方法 2013年7月~2015年11月对32例贲门失弛缓症行免气腹辅助3D腹腔镜下贲门食管肌层切开,联合Dor胃底折叠术(前部180°胃底折叠缝合术)。结果 32例均成功完成免气腹腹腔镜手术,手术时间(71.6±36.8)min,术中出血量(23.6±18.4)ml,住院时间(8.2±2.6)d,无食管漏等并发症及死亡。32例术后随访6~34个月,平均15.3月,Eckardt评分Ⅰ级20例(62.5%),Ⅱ级9例(28.1%),Ⅲ级3例(9.4%);手术有效29例(90.6%),失败3例(9.4%)。23例术后6个月复查食管吞钡造影,食管最大横径(31.1±5.2)mm,较术前(45.3±8.0)mm明显改善(t=11.064,P=0.000)。结论免气腹辅助3D腹腔镜改良Heller联合Dor胃底折叠术治疗贲门失弛缓症疗效满意。     

食管肌层切开术联合胃底折叠术治疗食管运动功能障碍性疾病的远期疗效

目的 比较食管肌层切开术加不同胃底折叠术式治疗贲门失弛缓症或弥漫性食管痉挛的远期效果.方法 1978年1月至1998年10月,共64例贲门失弛缓症或弥漫性食管痉挛患者经左胸行Heller手术+抗反流手术.其中21例加行Nissen全胃底折叠术(Nissen组),43例加行BelseyⅣ式部分胃底折叠术(Belsey组).患者于手术前后行影像学、食管核素排空、食管压力测定和内窥镜检查及24 h pH值监测.结果 全组无手术死亡及严重并发症.术后6年随访,Nissen组吞咽困难(P=0.025)及核素潴留(P=0.044)的发生率高于Belsey组.两种术式均可降低食管下括约肌的压力梯度.Nissen组术后食管直径较术前增加(P=0.012),而Belsey组增加不明显(P=0.695).两组烧心与反酸症状均少见.Nissen组有8例患者、Belsey组有1例患者因复发性吞咽困难需行二次手术(P＜0.01).结论 在治疗贲门失弛缓症或弥漫性食管痉挛患者时,加行全胃底折叠术可能并不适宜,而部分胃底折叠术可以提供满意的抗反流效果,且不会显著影响食管排空功能.     

食管胃肌层纵切横缝治疗贲门失弛缓症

贲门失弛缓症的治疗首选药物及扩张术,但其效果不理想犤1犦,手术常采用食管贲门黏膜外肌层切开术(Heller术),方法简单,但Heller术后胃食管反流发生率20%～50%犤2犦。我们自1992年1月至2001年12月对Heller术式改进,采用食管胃黏膜外肌层纵切横缝治疗贲门失弛缓症15例,经随访,效果满意。现报告如下。临床资料本组15例,男7例,女8例。年龄16～49(平均30.5)岁。病程1～18(平均5)年。15例均有间歇性进食梗阻症状,7例伴呕吐及脱水。所有患者均有体重下降,其中贫血8例。X线钡餐检查食管均有不同程度扩张,最粗者横径7.0cm,食管下段、贲门呈鸟嘴样狭…     

腹腔镜食管下段贲门肌层切开联合Dor胃底折叠术治疗贲门失弛缓症

目的:探讨腹腔镜食管下段贲门肌层切开联合Dor胃底折叠术治疗贲门失弛缓症的临床应用价值。方法:回顾性分析31例行腹腔镜食管下段贲门肌层切开联合Dor胃底折叠术治疗的贲门失弛缓症患者术前与术后3个月的临床数据。结果:31例均成功行腹腔镜手术,27例术前与术后3个月吞咽困难评分(1.10±0.18与0.91±0.12,P<0.01)、术前与术后胸骨后疼痛评分(0.38±0.04与0.36±0.03,P<0.05)症状得到有效缓解,体质量指数(21.32±1.26与20.47±1.34,P<0.05)及生活质量指数(85.69±7.78与80.43±9.19,P<0.05)明显优于术前。结论:腹腔镜食管下段贲门肌层切开联合Dor胃底折叠术对于改善贲门失弛缓症患者临床症状及提高生活质量具有重要的意义。     

腹腔镜胃镜联合手术治疗贲门失弛缓症25例报道

目的探讨腹腔镜胃镜联合手术治疗贲门失弛缓症的临床价值。方法2003年10月～2006年4月，采用腹腔镜胃镜联合Heller肌切开Dor胃底折叠治疗贲门失弛缓症25例。结果手术均获成功，手术时间60～240min，平均107min。术中出血量5—60ml，平均22ml。术中4例分破食管或胃黏膜。术后8h下床活动，1—3d（平均1．5d）排气、拔胃管进流食。术后7d复查食管测压食管下括约肌（lower esophageal sphincter，LES）功能压均降至正常；24h食管pH监测3例酸反流指数高于正常，但无症状。术后8d复查上消化道钡餐，扩张的食管最大横径平均缩小18mm（8～26mm）。术后8～11d出院，平均8．5d。25例随访1—30个月，平均5．4月，术前症状均消失。2例因进食不当出现间断吞咽困难。结论腹腔镜胃镜联合手术治疗贲门失弛缓症具有定位准确、创伤小、痛苦轻、疗效好等突出优点，同时可以提高手术质量，减少并发症。     

An antireflux procedure should not routinely be added to a heller myotomy

Summary Achalasia is a disease that can only be palliated, not corrected, by surgery. The philosophy at Vanderbilt has been to maximize the relief of dysphagia through myotomy that is measured using intraoperative endoscopy while minimizing the mechanical factors that may increase gastroesophageal reflux. Only a few of our patients (3 [ 13 %] of 24) have developed pathologic reflex after Heller myotomy without an antireflux procedure, and all have been treated medically with excellent results. The addition of an antireflux procedure would inappropriately treat the 87% of patients who have no objective measurement of gastroesophageal reflux. Because gastroesophageal reflux does occur in patients who have undergone Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication, we have chosen not to add a procedure that may increase dysphagia. Our argument against the routine use of fundoplication rests on the concept that a fundoplication, either total or partial, increases resistance to flow across the LES and therefore decreases symptom relief. Our studies, as well as others, indicate that esophageal clearance is an important aspect of reflux after Heller myotomy, and postoperatively patients with achalasia are more prone to long periods of acid exposure caused by inadequate clearance. Symptoms of GERD in patients with achalasia do not correlate with objective measurements of acid exposure in the esophagus; therefore they cannot be used to follow up patients after Heller myotomy. Gastroesophageal reflux can be a significant problem in patients whether they have undergone Heller myotomy alone or Heller myotomy plus fundoplication. We recommend 24-hour pH studies to monitor acid exposure in the distal esophagus postoperatively to identify pathologic GERD after Heller myotomy. Patients found to have pathologic reflux after Heller myotomy with or without fundoplication should be treated medically. In short, acid reflux after a myotomy can be controlled simply with medication, but dysphagia requires more drastic and potentially hazardous treatment such as pneumatic dilatation or reoperation.     

Does concomitant anterior fundoplication promote dysphagia after laparoscopic Heller myotomy?

Concerns for gastroesophageal reflux after laparoscopic Heller myotomy for achalasia justify considerations of concomitant anterior fundoplication. This study was undertaken to determine if concomitant anterior fundoplication reduces symptoms of reflux after myotomy without promoting dysphagia. From 1992 to 2004, 182 patients underwent laparoscopic Heller myotomy without fundoplication. After a prospective randomized trial justified its concomitant application, anterior fundoplication was undertaken with laparoscopic Heller myotomy in 171 patients from 2004 to 2007. All patients have been prospectively followed. Pre and postoperatively, patients scored the frequency and severity of symptoms of achalasia (including dysphagia, choking, vomiting, regurgitation, chest pain, and heartburn) using a Likert Scale (0 = never/not bothersome to 10 = always/very bothersome). Before myotomy, symptoms of achalasia were frequent and severe for all patients. After myotomy, the frequency and severity of all symptoms of achalasia significantly decreased for all patients (P < 0.001, Wilcoxon matched pairs test). Notably, relative to patients undergoing laparoscopic Heller myotomy alone, concomitant anterior fundoplication led to significantly less frequent and severe heartburn after myotomy (P < 0.05, Mann-Whitney Test) and to less frequent and severe dysphagia and choking (P < 0.05, Mann-Whitney Test). Laparoscopic Heller myotomy reduces the frequency and severity of symptoms of achalasia. Concomitant anterior fundoplication decreases the frequency and severity of heartburn and dysphagia after laparoscopic Heller myotomy. Concomitant anterior fundoplication promotes salutary relief in the frequency and severity of symptoms after myotomy and is warranted.     

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. Presented at the Thirty-Eighth Annual Meeting ofThe Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, Washington, D.C., May 11–14, 1997 (poster presentation).     

Improved outcome after extended gastric myotomy for achalasia

HYPOTHESIS: There is general agreement that a Heller myotomy should extend 6 to 7 cm above the gastroesophageal junction. Results of most previous studies have recommended that the myotomy extend 1 to 1.5 cm below the gastroesophageal junction. We speculated that the effectiveness of the operation could be improved if a longer, 3-cm myotomy was carried out below the gastroesophageal junction, as it would more completely obliterate the lower esophageal sphincter. We, therefore, changed our technique in 1998. Concurrently, we converted from a Dor fundoplication to a Toupet fundoplication. This study analyzes the results of our new strategy. DESIGN: A case series using a prospectively maintained database. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: One hundred ten consecutive patients with achalasia undergoing laparoscopic Heller myotomy. INTERVENTION: We analyzed the course of 52 patients treated with a standard laparoscopic esophagogastric myotomy (1.5 cm in the stomach) and a Dor fundoplication between September 1, 1994, and August 31, 1998, and 58 treated with an extended gastric myotomy (3 cm below the gastroesophageal junction) and a Toupet fundoplication between September 1, 1998, and August 31, 2001. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Esophageal function testing (esophageal manometry and 24-hour pH monitoring), symptom questionnaire (frequency and severity), and postoperative interventions required. RESULTS: Postoperatively the lower esophageal sphincter pressure was significantly lower after extended gastric myotomy and a Toupet fundoplication vs standard myotomy and a Dor fundoplication (9.5 vs 15.8 mm Hg). Dysphagia was both less frequent (1.2 vs 2.1) and less severe (visual analog scale, 3.2 vs 5.3) after extended gastric myotomy and Toupet fundoplication. In the standard laparoscopic esophagogastric myotomy and a Dor fundoplication group, 9 patients (17%) had recurrent, severe dysphagia, which was treated by dilation in 5 patients and by reoperation in 4 patients. In the extended gastric myotomy and Toupet fundoplication group, 2 patients (3%) developed recurrent dysphagia that resolved with dilatation. There were no reoperations in the extended gastric myotomy and Toupet fundoplication group. No difference was noted in the frequency of heartburn (1.3 vs 1.7), regurgitation (0.3 vs 0.8), and chest pain (0.3 vs 0.6), nor was there a difference between the 2 groups in proximal (1.7% vs 2.3%) and distal (6.0% vs 5.9%) esophageal acid exposure. CONCLUSION: An extended gastric myotomy (3 cm) more effectively disrupts the lower esophageal sphincter, thus improving the results of surgical therapy for achalasia for dysphagia without increasing the rate of abnormal gastroesophageal reflux provided that a Toupet fundoplication is added.     

Comparison of the Heller–Toupet procedure with the Heller–Dor procedure in patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for achalasia

Purpose

We compared the outcomes of Toupet fundoplication with those of Dor fundoplication in patients with achalasia who underwent laparoscopic Heller myotomy.

Methods

Seventy-two patients with achalasia and dysphagia underwent laparoscopic Heller myotomy with fundoplication performed by a single surgeon. Heller–Toupet fundoplication (HT) was performed in 30 patients, and Heller–Dor fundoplication (HD) was done in 42. The symptoms and esophageal function were retrospectively assessed in both groups.

Results

The dysphagia scores significantly decreased after both the HT and HD procedures, and did not differ significantly between them. The incidence of reflux symptoms was significantly higher after HT (26.7 %) than after HD (7.1 %). The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) resting pressure significantly decreased after both HT and HD. Upon endoscopic examination, the incidence of reflux esophagitis was significantly higher after HT (38.5 %) than after HD (8.8 %). During esophageal pH monitoring, the fraction time at pH <4 was similar in the patients who underwent HT and HD.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic Heller myotomy provided significant improvements in the dysphagia symptoms of achalasia patients, regardless of the type of fundoplication. The incidences of reflux symptoms and reflux esophagitis were higher after HT than after HD. However, the results of pH monitoring did not differ between the procedures.     

Significance of Limited Hiatal Dissection in Surgery for Achalasia

Introduction

It is speculated that postoperative pathologic gastroesophageal reflux after Heller’s myotomy can be diminished if the lateral and posterior phrenoesophageal attachments are left intact. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of limited hiatal dissection in patients operated due to achalasia.

Methods

Prospective, randomized, 3 years follow-up of 84 patients operated due to achalasia. In 26 patients, Heller–Dor with complete hiatal dissection was done (G1), limited hiatal dissection combined with myotomy and Dor’s procedure was performed in 36 patients (G2), and with Heller’s myotomy alone in 22 (G3). Stationary manometry and 24 h pH study were performed in regular postoperative intervals.

Results

Postoperatively, higher median values of lower esophageal sphincter resting pressures were marked in G2 and G3, while patients in G1 were presented with higher median values of pH acid score (p?<?0.001). Abnormal DeMeester score 3 years after surgery was present in 23.1% of patients in G1 and 8.5% and 9.1% in G2 and G3 accordingly. There was no statistical difference between the groups concerning postoperative dysphagia recurrence.

Conclusion

Indicating further long-term studies, 3 years after the operation limited hiatal dissection compared to complete obtains better reflux control in achalasia patients, regardless of Dor’s fundoplication.     

Laparoscopic Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication for esophageal achalasia in children

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: In the past, surgical treatment in achalasia usually has been reserved for patients whose dysphagia does not respond to pneumatic dilatation. The success of minimally invasive myotomy, however, has resulted in a shift in practice in adult patients, whereby laparoscopic surgery is becoming preferred as primary treatment by most gastroenterologists and surgeons. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of laparoscopic Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication for esophageal achalasia in children. METHODS: Thirteen patients with esophageal achalasia (median age, 15 years; 6 boys and 7 girls; median duration of symptoms, 24 months) underwent laparoscopic Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication between 1996 and 1999. Two patients had been treated previously by pneumatic dilatation, and 1 patient had received intrasphincteric Botulinum toxin injections. RESULTS: Median duration of the operation was 130 minutes. The patients were fed after an average of 33 hours, and they all left the hospital within 2 days. At a median follow-up of 19 months, there was no residual dysphagia in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication were effective and safe for children with esophageal achalasia. Hospital stay and recovery time was short, and the functional results were excellent. These data support the notion that laparoscopic Heller myotomy should become the primary treatment of esophageal achalasia in children.     

Surgical treatment of achalasia: A retrospective comparative study

A retrospective study carried out on 74 patients among 101 consecutive cases of achalasia of the esophagus operated from 1967 to 1989 is reported. On 21 patients observed between 1967 and 1975, a standard transabdominal Heller cardiomyotomy was performed (group A). From 1976 to 1989, the treatment of choice was a Heller myotomy associated with a modified Dor's fundoplication. In 80 consecutive cases (group B) the extension of myotomy was regulated by intraoperative monitoring of lower esophageal sphincter pressure. A 5-year follow-up with questionnaires, physical examination, and barium swallows was carried out on 16 patients in group A and on 58 patients in group B. In 75.6% of the cases (56 patients) follow-up examinations included esophageal manometry and 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring. Recurrence of dysphagia was recognized in 3 cases in group A (18.7%) and in 2 cases in group B (3.4%) (P=0.053); postoperative gastroesophageal reflux, measured as a percentage of total reflux time, showed a significantly lower mean value in group B than in group A (1.8% vs. 4.1%. P<0.01). This study suggests that an anti-reflux procedure lowers post-operative gastroesophageal reflux after Heller myotomy. Due to the low incidence of postoperative reflux and the negligible recurrence of dysphagia, Heller myotomy associated with a modified Dor's fundoplication may represent the surgical treatment of choice for achalasia of the esophagus.     

Pseudoachalasia occurring after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication and crural mesh repair

Background Benign esophageal pseudoachalasia is a rare condition. Discussion We report the case of a 70-year-old man who complained of severe dysphagia after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication and crural mesh repair performed for long-standing gastroesophageal reflux disease. Severe dysphagia and nocturnal aspiration developed soon after the operation. A marked dilatation of the esophageal body and a manometric pattern resembling achalasia was documented. Results Endoscopic balloon dilatation was ineffective. Five months after the initial operation, the patient underwent revisional laparoscopic surgery that consisted of Nissen’s wrap takedown, enlargement of the hiatus with partial resection of the mesh, Heller myotomy, and Dor fundoplication. After a 2-year follow-up, the patient is doing well and is free of symptoms.     

Laparoscopic Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication for achalasia: analysis of successes and failures.

BACKGROUND: In the treatment of achalasia, surgery has been traditionally reserved for patients with residual dysphagia after pneumatic dilatation. The results of laparoscopic Heller myotomy have proven to be so good, however, that most experts now consider surgery the primary treatment. HYPOTHESIS: The outcome of laparoscopic myotomy and fundoplication for achalasia is dictated by technical factors. SETTING: University hospital tertiary care center. DESIGN: Retrospective study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred two patients with esophageal achalasia underwent laparoscopic Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication. Fifty-seven patients had been previously treated by pneumatic dilatation or botulinum toxin. The design of the operation involved a 7-cm myotomy, which extended 1.5 cm onto the gastric wall, and a Dor fundoplication. Esophagrams, esophageal manometric findings, and video records of the procedure were analyzed to determine the technical factors that contributed to the clinical success or failure of the operation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Swallowing status. RESULTS: In 91 (89%) of the 102 patients, good or excellent results were obtained after the first operation. A second operation was performed in 5 patients to either lengthen the myotomy (3 patients) or take down the fundoplication (2 patients). Dysphagia resolved in 4 of these patients. The remaining 6 patients were treated by pneumatic dilatation, but dysphagia improved in only 1. At the conclusion of treatment, excellent or good results had been obtained in 96 (94%) of the 102 patients. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that a Heller myotomy was unsuccessful in patients with an esophageal stricture; a short myotomy and a constricting Dor fundoplication were the avoidable causes of residual dysphagia; a second operation, but not pneumatic dilatation, was able to correct most failures; and that the identified technical flaws were eliminated from the last half of the patients in the series.