[Laparoscopic surgery in esophageal achalasia--initial results]

The authors present their initial results of laparoscopic operations on account of achalasia of the oesophagus. The first oesophagocardiomyotomy was performed at the author s department by the laparoscopic approach in September 1994. In the course of one year 20 of these operations were performed. The mean period of complaints before surgery was 5.9 years with a range of 1 to 40 years. Only six patients were operated during the stage of compensated achalasia, the remainder already in the stage of decompensation. As to peroperative complications twice perforation of the oesophagus occurred, in one instance treated laparoscopically and once during conversion by the classical approach. In one instance the a. epigastrica was injured and haemoperitoneum developed and subsequent revision was urgent. All patients were relieved of their dysphagic complaints, one female patient developed minor pyrosis.