title: [Long-term outcome of myotomy and semi-fundoplication in achalasia].
abstract: The basic principle behind the treatment of achalasia consists of alleviating swallowing disorders by reducing resistance in the lower esophageal sphincter without inducing gastroesophageal reflux. Only a few studies are available on long-term results after operative treatment. Fifty-one patients were studied with regard to long-term results after open transabdominal extramucosal myotomy of the distal esophagus along with partial anterior fundoplication (Dor procedure). Clinical data were collected by standardized interviews, and symptoms were assigned a score ranging from 0 to 3 according to severity and frequency. The pre- and postoperative symptoms were comparable in 50 patients. The median duration of follow-up was 88 months (range: 12-160 months). Operative time was a median of 80 min. Two esophageal mucosal tears were recognized intraoperatively and promptly repaired. Postoperative morbidity occurred in two patients (3.9%). Very good or good long-term results after surgical therapy were achieved in 49 patients (96.1%). Forty-seven patients (92.2%) have no or rare dysphagia. The frequency of regurgitation as well as chest pain was also significantly reduced after surgery. Forty-nine patients (96.1%) either maintained or gained weight. Preoperative duration of symptoms, follow-up, age, and gender had no influence on the results (p > 0.05). Two patients (3.9%) mentioned occasional heartburn. Five patients (9.8%) took or still take proton pump inhibitors postoperatively. Severe stage IV symptoms due to peptic stricture and dolichomegaesophagus required reoperation in one patient (2%). The results show that myotomy and the antireflux procedure (semifundoplication) lead to long-term relief of dysphagia without inducing reflux at a low operative risk. Since long-term results are as yet not available for minimally invasive surgery, it remains to be seen if this operative technique will become the primary surgical procedure for this disease.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Allgemein- und Abdominalchirurgie, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Junginger
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kneist
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sultanov
authors.forename: V F
authors.initials: VF
authors.lastname: Eckardt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002299:Cardia / Q000601:surgery*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018662:Fundoplication / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation