Laparoscopic Heller myotomy relieves dysphagia in patients with achalasia and low LES pressure following pneumatic dilatation

Background: Although pneumatic dilatation is said to relieve dysphagia in achalasia if it decreases lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure to <10 mmHg, dysphagia persists in some cases. Performing a Heller myotomy in this setting has been challenged on the assumption that everything possible has already been done to eliminate the barrier posed by the malfunctioning sphincter. Therefore, we set out to assess the results of laparoscopic Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication in achalasia in relation to LES pressure. Methods: Fifty-seven patients with achalasia were divided into the following three groups, based on the LES pressure and previous treatment: group A, previous balloon dilatation and LES pressure ?10 mmHg (n = 9); group B, previous balloon dilatation and LES pressure >10 mmHg (n = 23); group C, no previous balloon dilatation and LES pressure >10 mmHg (n = 25). All patients underwent a laparoscopic Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication. The severity of dysphagia was gauged on a scale of 0-4. Results: In group A, LES pressure was 7 ± 2 mmHg preoperatively and 8 ± 3 mmHg postoperatively; the dysphagia score was 3.3 ± 0.7 preoperatively and 0.9 ± 1.1 postoperatively. Eighty-nine percent of patients had excellent or good results. In group B, LES pressure was 23 ± 8 mmHg preoperatively and 10 ± 1 mmHg postoperatively; the dysphagia score was 3.3 ± 0.7 preoperatively and 0.3 ± 0.5 postoperatively. All patients had excellent or good results. In group C, LES pressure was 23 ± 11 mmHg preoperatively and 14 ± 12 mmHg postoperatively; the dysphagia score was 3.6 ± 0.6 preoperatively and 0.2 ± 0.5 postoperatively. All patients had excellent or good results. Conclusions: These results show that (a) a LES pressure of <10 mmHg after pneumatic dilatation does not guarantee relief of dysphagia, and (b) laparoscopic Heller myotomy relieves dysphagia in most patients with a postdilatation LES pressure <10 mmHg. Thus, a laparoscopic Heller myotomy is indicated if dilatation does not relieve dysphagia, even if LES pressure has been decreased to <10 mmHg. Esophagectomy should be reserved for the occasional failure of this simpler operation. apd: 11 May 2001