title: Results of the laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedure for pediatric esophageal achalasia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Esophageal achalasia is not a frequent disorder in children and different treatments have been proposed during past decades. This study reviews the results of the laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedure performed in pediatric patients in two different surgical units.
  
  
  METHODS
  We included the patients aged <14 years with a minimum follow-up of 6 months operated on in the period 1994-2001. A single longitudinal anterior esophageal myotomy (Heller) and a 180 degrees anterior gastropexy (Dor) were laparoscopically performed. The patients were checked to detect intra- or postoperative complications and recurrence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty children were operated on. Mean follow-up was 45 months (range 6-102). Postoperative clinical score was Visick 1 in 15 cases and Visick 2 in five.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As complication and recurrence rates are very low we consider modified Heller myotomy and Dor gastropexy through a laparoscopic approach our first choice to treat esophageal achalasia in the pediatric population.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Surgery, Gaslini Research Institute, University of Genova, Largo G. Gaslini, 5, 16100 Genova, Italy. girolamomattioli@ospedale-gaslini.ge.it
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mattioli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Esposito
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pini Prato
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Doldo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Castagnetti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barabino
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gandullia
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Staiano
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Settimi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cucchiara
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Montobbio
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jasonni
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome