title: Surgical treatment of achalasia in the 21st century.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Achalasia is a primary motility disorder of the esophagus characterized by poor mid-esophageal motility and failure of the lower esophageal sphincter to properly relax. The optimal treatment of the disease would improve esophageal peristalsis and promote lower esophageal sphincter relaxation. Currently, such therapy is not possible, so treatment of the disorder is aimed at relief of symptoms by disruption of the lower esophageal sphincter.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected prospectively on all patients undergoing laparoscopic myotomy and Toupet fundoplication during a 6-year period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-nine patients with a mean age of 44 years were treated during a 6-year period. Fifty-three patients underwent laparoscopic myotomy with Toupet fundoplication (91%), and four had laparoscopic myotomy without a fundoplication (6%). Fundoplication was not performed in two patients who had a megaesophagus. Two patients required conversion to an open operation. Sixty percent of patients were discharged the day after surgery; the average length of stay for all patients was 2.1 days. Ten percent of patients had minor complications; none required reoperation. Mortality was 0%, and 96% of patients rated their postoperative swallowing ability as excellent or good.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surgical myotomy is becoming first-line therapy for all patients with achalasia. A strong working relationship between surgeon and gastroenterologist helps to optimize patient care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC 28203, USA.
authors.forename: Kristi L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Harold
authors.forename: Brent D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Matthews
authors.forename: Kent W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Kercher
authors.forename: Robert F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Sing
authors.forename: B Todd
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Heniford
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000601:surgery; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000601:surgery*; D018662:Fundoplication / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007902:Length of Stay; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome