title: Heller myotomy for achalasia. From the open to the laparoscopic approach.
abstract: The last three decades have witnessed a progressive evolution in the surgical treatment of esophageal achalasia, with a shift from open to a minimally invasive Heller myotomy. The laparoscopic approach is currently the standard of care with better short-term outcomes and similar long-term functional results when compared to open surgery. More recently, the laparoscopic single-site approach and the use of the robot have been proposed to further improve the surgical outcome in achalasia patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy, meallaix@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Marco E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Allaix
authors.forename: Marco G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Patti
mesh_terms: D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000601:surgery*; D049630:Esophageal Sphincter, Lower / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*