title: Significance of limited hiatal dissection in surgery for achalasia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is speculated that postoperative pathologic gastroesophageal reflux after Heller's myotomy can be diminished if the lateral and posterior phrenoesophageal attachments are left intact. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of limited hiatal dissection in patients operated due to achalasia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, randomized, 3 years follow-up of 84 patients operated due to achalasia. In 26 patients, Heller-Dor with complete hiatal dissection was done (G1), limited hiatal dissection combined with myotomy and Dor's procedure was performed in 36 patients (G2), and with Heller's myotomy alone in 22 (G3). Stationary manometry and 24 h pH study were performed in regular postoperative intervals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Postoperatively, higher median values of lower esophageal sphincter resting pressures were marked in G2 and G3, while patients in G1 were presented with higher median values of pH acid score (p < 0.001). Abnormal DeMeester score 3 years after surgery was present in 23.1% of patients in G1 and 8.5% and 9.1% in G2 and G3 accordingly. There was no statistical difference between the groups concerning postoperative dysphagia recurrence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Indicating further long-term studies, 3 years after the operation limited hiatal dissection compared to complete obtains better reflux control in achalasia patients, regardless of Dor's fundoplication.
authors.affiliation: Department for Esophagogastric Surgery, First Surgical University Hospital, Clinical Center of Serbia, Koste Todorovića St 6, 11.000 Belgrade, Serbia. apsimic@med.bg.ac.rs
authors.forename: Aleksandar Petar
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Simić
authors.forename: Nebojsa S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Radovanović
authors.forename: Ognjan M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Skrobić
authors.forename: Zoran J
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Raznatović
authors.forename: Predrag M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Pesko
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000601:surgery*; D050782:Esophageal pH Monitoring; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018662:Fundoplication / Q000379:methods; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome