title: Evolution of the minimally invasive treatment of esophageal achalasia.
abstract: Thanks to the advent of laparoscopic techniques, the last decade and a half have witnessed a radical change in the treatment of esophageal achalasia. Because of the high success rate of the laparoscopic Heller myotomy, surgery has now become in many centers the first modality of treatment for achalasia. This shift in the treatment algorithm reflects the fact that laparoscopic Heller myotomy with partial fundoplication outperforms nonsurgical approaches, such as balloon dilatation and intrasphincteric botulinum toxin injection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC 5031, Room G-201, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bello
authors.forename: Fernando A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Herbella
authors.forename: Marco G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Patti
mesh_terms: D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans