Quality of life before and after laparoscopic Heller myotomy for achalasia.
BACKGROUND
Because the surgical treatment of achalasia is directed at the palliation of chronic symptoms, it is important to assess how surgery affects patients' health-related quality of life (HRQL).


METHODS
We evaluated upper gastrointestinal symptoms, satisfaction, and HRQL in 19 patients with achalasia before and after undergoing a laparoscopic Heller myotomy and partial fundoplication. HRQL was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item short form health survey (SF-36).


RESULTS
The mean age of the patients was 40 years (range 16 to 74), and 58% were men. After a median follow-up of 21 months (range 2 to 35), 12 of 16 patients were satisfied with the results of their surgery. Liquid and solid dysphagia scores were improved after surgery, and the prevalence of heartburn symptoms did not change. Although all the health concepts measured by the SF-36 instrument showed some improvement, statistically significant increases (on a 0 to 100 scale) were detected in physical functioning (11.1, P = 0.02), role-physical (25.0, P = 0.05), bodily pain (12.2, P = 0.01), vitality (13.7, P = 0.02), and social functioning (18.4, P = 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Most aspects of HRQL improve after a laparoscopic Heller myotomy and partial fundoplication for achalasia.
Ben-Meir
A
A
Department of Minimally Invasive Surgery and Surgical Research, Legacy Health System, 501 N Graham St, Suite 120, Portland, OR 97227, USA.
Urbach
D R
DR
Khajanchee
Y S
YS
Hansen
P D
PD
Swanstrom
L L
LL
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003680:Deglutition Disorders; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D018662:Fundoplication / Q000379:methods*; D006356:Heartburn; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010166:Palliative Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012919:Social Behavior; D016896:Treatment Outcome