Laparoscopy combined with esophagogastroscopy for achalasia of the cardia:Report of 25 cases / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the value of laparoscopy combined with esophagogastroscopy in the treatment of achalasia of the cardia. Methods Twenty-five patients with achalasia of the cardia between October 2003 and April 2006 in this department underwent the HellerDor operation under laparoscopy combined with esophagogastroscopy.Results A1l the operations were successfully accomplished.The operating time was 60~240 min(mean,107 min) and the intraoperative blood loss,5~60 ml(mean,22 ml).Intraoperative mucosal perforation was encountered in 4 patients.All the patients got out of bed for activities at 8 hours after operation,with first passage of flatus,removal of the gastric tube,and liquid diet intake at 1~3 days after operation(mean,1.5 days).The esophageal manometry showed the lower esophageal sphincter(LES) pressure had decreased to normal levels at 7 days after operation.The 24-hour ambulatory pH studies showed a high reflex index in 3 patients,but without symptoms.Upper gastrointestinal barium swallow showed the dilated esophagus had a 8~26 mm(mean,18 mm) decrease in diameter at 8 days after operation.The length of postoperative hospitalization was 8~11 days(mean,8.5 days).Follow-up for 1~30 months(mean,5.4 months) in all the patients showed 23 patients were asymptomatic and 2 had intermittent dysphagia.Conclusions Heller-Dor operation under laparoscopy combined with esophagogastroscopy has advantages of precise positioning,little invasion,less pain,and good effects,increasing the quality of operation as well as decreasing the incidence of complications.