title: Results of the surgical treatment of non-advanced megaesophagus using Heller-Pinotti's surgery: Laparotomy vs. Laparoscopy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dysphagia is the important symptom in achalasia, and surgery is the most common treatment. The Heller-Pinotti technique is the method preferred by Brazilian surgeons. For many years, this technique was performed by laparotomy, and now the laparoscopic method has been introduced. The objective was to evaluate the immediate and long-term results of patients submitted to surgery by either laparotomy or laparoscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 67 patients submitted to surgery between 1994 and 2001 with at least 5 years of follow-up were evaluated retrospectively and divided into two groups: laparotomy (41 patients) and laparoscopy (26 patients). Chagas was the etiology in 76.12% of cases. Dysphagia was evaluated according to the classification defined by Saeed et al.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no cases of conversion to open surgery. The mean duration of hospitalization was 3.32 days for laparotomy and 2.54 days for laparoscopy (p < 0.05). An improvement in dysphagia occurred with both groups reporting good or excellent results (laparotomy: 73.17% and laparoscopy: 73.08%). Mean duration of follow-up was 8 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was no difference between the two groups with respect to relief from dysphagia, thereby confirming the safety and effectiveness of the Heller-Pinotti technique, which can be performed by laparotomy or laparoscopy, depending on the surgeon's experience.
authors: Department of Surgery, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. lopeslr@fcm.unicamp.br
authors: Luiz Roberto
authors: LR
authors: Lopes
authors: Nathália da Silva
authors: Nda S
authors: Braga
authors: Gustavo Carvalho de
authors: GC
authors: Oliveira
authors: João de Souza
authors: Jde S
authors: Coelho Neto
authors: Marcelo Amade
authors: MA
authors: Camargo
authors: Nelson Adami
authors: NA
authors: Andreollo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult