title: Achalasia: the case for primary laparoscopic treatment.
abstract: Laparoscopic Heller myotomy offers the best-known surgical therapy for esophageal achalasia. Nevertheless, this procedure continues to compete with alternative endoscopic treatment and is often considered only as a secondary resort. In this study, the authors performed a review of the results of laparoscopic Heller myotomy and an evaluation of the impact of previous endoscopic treatment regarding perioperative complications and late results. Twenty-seven patients with achalasia confirmed by a manometry examination underwent a primary laparoscopic Heller myotomy (group 1, n = 14) or experienced endoscopic treatment failure (group 2, n = 13). A dysphagia score (0-4) was obtained before and after surgery. Clinical course was reviewed at 2 months and then every 6 months after surgery. In December 1999, patients answered a questionnaire regarding surgery satisfaction, postoperative reflux, and dysphagia for statistical analysis. There were no deaths. Mean hospital stay was 5.6 days. Three perforations occurred in group 2 (25%) versus one in group 1 (6%) (not statistically significant). At a mean 27-month follow-up, the dysphagia score was significantly (P < 0.001) improved in both groups but more significantly in group 1 versus group 2 (not statistically significant). Only one patient in group 2 reported heartburn. All patients in group 1 (100%) were satisfied with surgery as opposed to 10 of 13 patients (75%) in group 2 (P < 0.10). Primary laparoscopic Heller myotomy appears to be the treatment of choice for achalasia. Previous endoscopic treatment increases intraoperative complications and may affect long-term results.
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Vascular Surgery and Faculty of Medicine, Rouen University Hospital, France. christophe.peillon@chu-rouen.fr
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Peillon
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fromont
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Auvray
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Siriser
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome