title: [Preliminary results of laparoscopic video esophagomyotomy in patients with esophageal achalasia].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laparoscopic esophagomyotomy is becoming a good alternative to pneumatic dilatation, injection of botulinic toxin or classical surgery in the treatment of achalasia.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To report the results of laparoscopic esophagomyotomy in patients with achalasia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nineteen patients with achalasia, nine women, aged 9 to 66 years old, operated between 1996 and 2001 are reported.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no surgical mortality. One patient had a subphrenic abscess due to an unnoticed tear of the esophageal mucosa. During surgery, esophageal mucosa was perforated in 4 patients, that was sutured in three. One patient with an extensive tear of the mucosa required conversion to classical surgery. Patients were followed for 2 to 48 months. Radiological controls showed a significant increase in the diameter of gastroesophageal junction and a diameter reduction of the mid third esophageal segment. Lower esophageal pressure was significantly reduced. All patients experienced a weight increase and reduction of dysphagia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic esophagomyotomy is a safe an effective therapeutic alternative for achalasia.
authors.affiliation: Departamento Cirugía Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santos Dumont 999, Santiago, Chile. acsendes@machi.med.uchile.cl
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Csendes
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Burdiles
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Korn
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Braghetto
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Díaz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Henríquez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000601:surgery*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D020535:Video-Assisted Surgery
vernacular_title: Resultados preliminares de la esofagomiotomía por video laparoscopia en pacientes con acalasia esofágica.