Long-term symptom relief and patient satisfaction after Heller myotomy and Toupet fundoplication for achalasia.
BACKGROUND
The goal of this study was to review the results, symptom relief, and patient satisfaction after laparoscopic Heller myotomy and Toupet fundoplication.


METHODS
A cohort of patients who underwent laparoscopic esophagomyotomy and a Toupet fundoplication was identified. A retrospective chart review was conducted and patients then were interviewed by telephone using a modified 5-point Likert scale.


RESULTS
Long-term follow-up data were obtained for 51 patients with a mean of 5.9 years. Thirty-two (63%) patients reported infrequent or no dysphagia. Chest pain, heartburn, or regurgitation were reported in 6 of 51 (12%) patients, 14 of 51 (27%) patients, and 11 of 51 (22%) patients, respectively. Two patients (3.9%) had pneumatic dilation and 1 patient underwent completion esophagectomy (1.9%). Thirty-three (33 of 51; 65%) patients were on acid-suppression therapy. Forty-one (80%) patients reported their overall satisfaction with the procedure was either excellent or good, and 46 of 51 (90%) patients stated they would undergo surgery again.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data show acceptable long-term results.
Department of Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. andrew_popoff@rush.edu
Andrew M
AM
Popoff
Jonathan A
JA
Myers
Matthew
M
Zelhart
Basile
B
Maroulis
Marc
M
Mesleh
Keith
K
Millikan
Minh B
MB
Luu
D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000601:surgery*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018662:Fundoplication; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome