Brief Reports
Copyright ©2005 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Mar 14, 2005; 11(10): 1558-1561
Published online Mar 14, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i10.1558
Laparoscopic Heller myotomy with or without partial fundoplication: A matter of debate
G Ramacciato, FA D’Angelo, P Aurello, M Del Gaudio, G Varotti, P Mercantini, R Bellagamba, G Ercolani
G Ramacciato, FA D’Angelo, P Aurello, M Del Gaudio, G Varotti, P Mercantini, R Bellagamba, G Ercolani, Universita’ degli Studi di Roma “La Sapienza” - II Facolta’ di Medicina e Chirurgia. Ospedale Sant’Andrea - UOC Chirurgia “D”, Via di Grottarossa n°1035-1037, 00189 Roma, Italia
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: D’Angelo FA, MD. Universita’ degli Studi di Roma “La Sapienza” - II Facolta’ di Medicina e Chirurgia. Ospedale Sant’Andrea - UOC Chirurgia “D”. Via di Grottarossa n°1035-1037, 00189 Roma, Italia. francesco.dangelo@uniroma1.it
Telephone: +39-680345693 Fax: +39-80345001
Received: August 31, 2004
Revised: September 2, 2004
Accepted: October 7, 2004
Published online: March 14, 2005
Abstract

AIM: To present our experience of laparoscopic Heller stretching myotomy followed by His angle reconstruction as surgical approach to esophageal achalasia.

METHODS: Thirty-two patients underwent laparoscopic Heller myotomy; an anterior partial fundoplication in 17, and angle of His reconstruction in 15 cases represented the antireflux procedure of choice.

RESULTS: There were no morbidity and mortality recorded in both anterior funduplication and angle of His reconstruction groups. No differences were detected in terms of recurrent dysphagia, p.o. reflux or medical therapy.

CONCLUSION: To reduce the incidence of recurrent achalasia after laparoscopic Heller myotomy, we believe that His’ angle reconstruction is a safe and effective alternative to the anterior fundoplication.

Keywords: Achalasia; Gastroesophageal reflux; Laparoscopic Heller myotomy