Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026
Robotic Myotomy and Partial Fundoplication for Achalasia
Published on: August 11, 2023
Laparoscopic stapled cardioplasty for end-stage achalasia
Ewen A Griffiths1, Peter G Devitt, Glyn G Jamieson
1Discipline of Surgery, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Introduction:
The standard of care for achalasia is laparoscopic Heller's cardiomyotomy. This procedure achieves satisfactory and long-standing results in over 85 % of patients. However, in 10-15 % of patients, esophageal function will progressively deteriorate, and up to 5 % will develop end-stage achalasia. Options in these difficult patients are limited, and include redo cardiomyotomy, repeat dilatation, and in severe cases, esophagectomy.
Methods:
In this report, we describe an alternate approach, a cardioplasty, which was originally described by Heyrovsky in 1913.
Results:
The development of an angulated stapling device now makes this operation feasible by a laparoscopic approach.
Conclusion:
This report highlights our technique for laparoscopic cardioplasty in patients with end-stage achalasia.
