Enduring effects of thoracoscopic Heller myotomy for treating achalasia

Minimal invasive surgery using a laparoscopic or thoracoscopic approach for cardiomyotomy (Heller myotomy) has become a widely accepted procedure to treat achalasia of the esophagus. In this study, we evaluated the long-term results of Heller myotomy achieved by performing video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). We recruited patients with achalasia who had undergone VATS for Heller myotomy from 1991 to 2000 at the National Taiwan University Hospital. The myotomy was performed 6 cm above and 1 cm below the gastroesophageal junction. No fundoplication was performed during the procedure. The symptom score, which included dysphagia, regurgitation, and chest pain, was evaluated before and after surgery. Body weight was also recorded before and after surgery. The cases of 14 patients (4 men, 10 women) were studied. The mean patient age was 41.8 +/- 4.9 years. No postoperative mortality or morbidity was found in these patients. The follow-up duration was 56 +/- 7.17 months. The dysphasia score improved from 3.0 preoperatively to 0.79 +/- 0.30 postoperatively (p=0.001). The reflux score improved from 2.64 +/- 0.17 preoperatively to 0.50 +/- 0.20 postoperatively (p=0.001). All the improvements were still in place at the time of the most recent follow-up examinations. Heller myotomy to treat achalasia using a thoracoscopic approach can provide satisfactory long-term results.