title: Postmyotomy dysphagia after laparoscopic surgery for achalasia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine predictive factors for postoperative dysphagia after laparoscopic myotomy for achalasia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Logistic regression was used to investigate the possible association between the response (postoperative dysphagia, with two levels: none/mild and moderate/severe) and several plausible predictive factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight patients experienced severe or moderate postoperative dysphagia. The logistic regression revealed that only the severity of preoperative dysphagia (with four levels: mild, moderate, severe, and liquid) was a marginally significant (P=0.0575) predictive factor for postoperative dysphagia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The severity of postoperative dysphagia is strongly associated with preoperative dysphagia. Preoperative symptomatology can significantly impact patient outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68131, USA.
authors.forename: Yutaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shiino
authors.forename: Ziad T
authors.initials: ZT
authors.lastname: Awad
authors.forename: Gleb R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Haynatzki
authors.forename: Richard E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Ronald A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Hinder
authors.forename: Charles J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Filipi
mesh_terms: D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome