Long-term risk of adult overweight and obesity among achalasia patients who underwent Heller Myotomy.

BACKGROUND: It is unknown whether surgically treated achalasia cases regain or surpass their usual weight into obesity or overweight in the long-term post-operative period. Here, we aimed to assess the incidence of overweight/obesity (Ob/Ow) and the risk for reoccurrence up to 48 months post-laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM). METHODS: We performed a cohort of 114 achalasia cases undergoing LHM. All patients had a confirmed diagnosis of achalasia and had no added comorbidities. We followed up the body mass index (BMI) at the immediate post-operative period, and at one-, six-, 12-, 24-, and 48 months after LHM. We measured the incidence of Ob/Ow and its reoccurrence risk with Cox regression. KEY RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: In the immediate post-operative period, the incidence of Ob/Ow was significantly less than the usual BMI (before the onset of symptoms) (28.2% vs 66.3%). From the sixth to the 48th month, there was a progressive increase in the incidence of Ob/Ow and at this timepoint the percent of Ob/Ow was not statistically different from the usual BMI. The most significant hazard for Ob/Ow reoccurrence in the long term following LHM is a usual BMI with obesity grade I or III and males lacking pre-surgical weight loss. INFERENCES: Achalasia cases undergoing surgical treatment should be monitored closely in the post-operative period for weight regain, regardless of their pre-operative BMI. Notably, males who before the onset of symptoms were obese or overweight are at significantly increased risk of regaining or surpassing their weight, despite most having lost weight pre-surgically.

Dor Vs Toupet Fundoplication After Laparoscopic Heller Myotomy: Long-Term Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluated by High-Resolution Manometry.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) with partial fundoplication is an effective treatment for achalasia. However, the type of fundoplication is still a subject of debate. AIM: The aim of the study is to identify which partial fundoplication leads to better control of acid exposure, manometric parameters, and symptoms scores. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was performed to compare Dor vs Toupet fundoplication after LHM. The preoperative diagnosis was made by high-resolution manometry (HRM), upper endoscopy, and barium esophagogram. Preoperative and postoperative symptoms were evaluated with Eckardt, GERD-HRQL, and EAT-10 questionnaires. RESULTS: Seventy-three patients were randomized, 38 underwent Dor and 35 Toupet. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. Postoperative HRM showed that the integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) and basal lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure were similar at 6 and 24 months. The number of patients with abnormal acid exposure was significantly lower for Dor (6.9%) than that of Toupet (34.0%) at 6 months, but it was not different at 12 or 24 months. No differences were found in postoperative symptom scores at 1, 6, or 24 months. CONCLUSION: There were no differences in symptom scores or HRM between fundoplications in the long term. A higher percentage of abnormal 24-h pH test were found for the Toupet group, with no difference in the long term.

Per oral endoscopic myotomy vs. laparoscopic Heller myotomy, does gastric extension length matter?

OBJECTIVE: To report our experience in POEM vs. LHM, with particular focus on myotomy extension. BACKGROUND: POEM has been adopted worldwide as a treatment for achalasia. While resolution of dysphagia is above 90%, postoperative reflux ranges from 10 to 57%. Myotomy length has been a controversial topic. METHODS: Thirty-five cases of POEM were prospectively analyzed and compared retrospectively to the last 35 patients that underwent LHM, from December 2010 to August 2016. Mean follow-up was 10 months (6/32) for POEM and 20 months (6/68) for LHM. All patients with LHM had a myotomy extension ≥3 cm on the gastric side. In POEM cases, extension was defined by direct vision (Hill type II) and never exceeded 2 cm. RESULTS: Follow-up was completed in 100% of patients. Efficacy (ES ≤ 3) was 33/35 (94.2%) for POEM and 32/35 (91.4%) for LHM in a short-term follow-up (p = 1.000) and 31/35 (88.6%) and 27/35 (77.1%), respectively, in a long-term follow-up (p = 1.000), with average ES drop from 9 to 1.2 (p = 0.0001) in POEM vs. 9.2 to 1.3 (p = 0.0001) in LHM. Major Postoperative complications occurred in 1 patient (leak) for LHM and 1 patient (massive capnothorax) in POEM. Hospital stay was shorter for POEM than for LHM (1.3 vs. 2.1, respectively) (p = 0.0001). Symptomatic reflux cases included 7/35 POEM (20%) vs. 6/35 LHM (17.1%) (p = 0.4620). Esophagitis signs in endoscopy appeared in 1/21 POEM (4.7%) vs. 1/22 LHM (4.5%) (p = 1.000). Patients requiring PPI included 8/35 POEM (22.8%) vs. 7/35 LHM (20%) (p = 0.6642). Further treatment (endoscopic dilation) was performed in 10/35 POEM (28.5%) vs. 8/35 LHM (22.8%). CONCLUSIONS: A shorter myotomy on the gastric side in POEM may contribute to an acceptable reflux rate with comparable relief of dysphagia. Although our follow-up for POEM is shorter than for LHM, the trends are promising and warrant future prospective studies to address this topic.

Calidad de vida antes y después de la cirugía videolaparoscópica en la acalasia esofágica / Quality of live before and after videolaparoscopic surgery in esophageal achalasia

Introducción: la acalasia esofágica es el más frecuente de los trastornos motores. Origina disfagia, regurgitaciones y pérdida de peso con deterioro marcado de la calidad de vida. El tratamiento quirúrgico videolaparoscópico es el de elección para el alivio de la disfagia. Objetivo: evaluar la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en pacientes con acalasia esofágica operados por videolaparoscopia. Método: se realizó estudio observacional descriptivo longitudinal prospectivo, mediante la aplicación del cuestionario GIQLI (en la consulta de preoperatorio, a los tres meses y al año del posoperatorio) a los pacientes operados de acalasia esofágica desde enero hasta diciembre del año 2015 en el Centro Nacional de Cirugía de Mínimo Acceso. Análisis estadístico: porcentajes para variables cualitativas, media ± desviación estándar para las cuantitativas. Para evaluar el comportamiento de la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud se realizó análisis de varianza (ANOVA) de medidas repetidas con nivel de significación estadística α= 0,05. Resultados: 34 pacientes fueron incluidos, se excluyeron tres, 41,2 por ciento del sexo masculino, 58,8 por ciento del femenino, predominó color de la piel blanca (66,7 por ciento), media de edad de 44,8 años, GIQLI inicial 85,6 (± 20,9) puntos, a los tres meses 125,2 (± 12,4) puntos, al año 134,0 (± 9,6) puntos, p= 0,000. Conclusiones: la esofagocardiomiotomía de Heller laparoscópica mejora la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud de los pacientes con acalasia esofágica(AU)

Introduction: Achalasia is the most frequent of motor disorders of the esophagus, producing dysphagia, regurgitation and weight loss, with a marked deterioration of the quality of life. ideolaparoscopic surgery remains the gold standard for dysphagia relief. However, the health-related quality of live measurement is still necessary to assess treatment outcome and the impact on the patients' lives. Objective: To assess the health-related quality of live in patients with esophageal achalasia who received videolaparoscopic surgery. Methods: An observational, descriptive, longitudinal and prospective study was carried out, using the questionnaire GIQLI, in the preoperative interview, three months and then a year following videolaparoscopic surgery, in patients who received achalasia surgery from January to December 2015 in the National Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery. The statistical analysis considered percentages for qualitative variables and mean standard deviation for quantitative variables. In order to assess the actual state of the health-related quality of live, a variance analysis of repetitive measures (ANOVA) was made, with a level of statistical significance α=0.05. Results: 34 patients were included, three were excluded, 41.2 percent of male sex, 58.8 percent of female sex, the white skin predominated (66.7 percent), average age of 44.8 years, baseline GIQLI score 85.6 (±20.9), after three months 125.2 (±12.4), and after one year 134.0 (±9.6), p=0,000. Conclusions: The laparoscopic Heller's esophageal cardiomyotomy improves the health-related quality of live in patients with esophageal achalasia(AU)

Calidad de vida en pacientes con acalasia esofágica operados por videolaparoscopia / Quality of life in patients with esophageal achalasia after video-laparoscopic surgery

Introducción: la acalasia esofágica se asocia con un marcado deterioro de la calidad de vida, el tratamiento quirúrgico videolaparoscópico es el de elección. Sin embargo, es necesario medir la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud para evaluar los resultados del tratamiento y el impacto sobre su vida. Objetivos: evaluar la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en pacientes con acalasia esofágica operados por videolaparoscopia. Método: estudio observacional, descriptivo, longitudinal prospectivo, mediante la aplicación del cuestionario de índice gastrointestinal de calidad de vida a pacientes operados de acalasia esofágica desde enero hasta diciembre de 2015 en el Centro Nacional de Cirugía de Mínimo Acceso. Se incluyeron en el estudio 34 pacientes y se excluyeron tres. El cuestionario se aplicó en el preoperatorio y a los tres meses de operados. El análisis estadístico expresa porcentajes para variables cualitativas, media ± desviación estándar o mediana y rango según corresponda para las cuantitativas, para la comparación de los resultados del cuestionario se emplearon pruebas de hipótesis de comparación de medias, con nivel de significación estadística α= 0,05. Resultados: hubo u total de 41,2 por ciento, 14 del sexo masculino, 58,8 por ciento, 20 del sexo femenino. Predominó color de la piel blanca (66,7 por ciento), media de edad de 44,8 años, GIQLI inicial 85,6 (± 20,9), GIQLI trimestral 125,2 (± 12,4) p= 0,000. Conclusiones: la esofagocardiomiotomía de Heller videolaparoscópica mejora la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud de los pacientes con acalasia esofágica(AU)

Introduction: Esophageal achalasia is associated with a marked decay in quality of life, treatment with video-laparoscopic surgery is the chosen one. However, it is necessary to measure their health-related quality of life, in order to evaluate the results after treatment and the impact on their lives. Objective: To evaluate health-related quality of life in patients with esophageal achalasia after video-laparoscopic surgery. Methods: Observational, descriptive, longitudinal and prospective study using the questionnaire for Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) in patients who had esophageal achalasia operation from January to December 2015 at the National Center for Minimal Invasive Surgery. The study included 34 patients and excluded 3. The questionnaire was applied in the preoperatory and three months after. The statistical analysis expresses percentages for qualitative variables, mean ± average or standard deviation, and range by correspondence for the quantitative ones, to compare the questionnaire results, hypothetical tests for means comparison were used, with a level of statistical significance ?=0.05. Results: There was a total of 41.2 por ciento, 14 of male sex, 58.8 por ciento, 20 of female sex. There was a predominance of white skin color (66.7 por ciento), mean age of 44.8 years, initial GIQLI of 85.6 (± 20.9), quarterly GIQLI of 125.2 (± 12.4) p= 0.000. Conclusions: Video-laparoscopic Heller's esophagocardiomyotomy improves health-related quality of life of the patients with esophageal achalasia(AU)

Achalasia 2016: Treatment Alternatives.

The treatment for achalasia changed dramatically after the introduction of minimally invasive surgery. Since 1991, laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) has replaced pneumatic dilatation (PD) as the primary form of treatment in many centers. Over time, PD became safer, and eventually endoscopic experts were able to perform an endoscopic myotomy via a per oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM). This article reviews the advantages and disadvantages of each technique. Ultimately, the best outcomes are obtained by a multidisciplinary team that can tailor a specific treatment to each individual patient.

Miotomía de Heller laparoscópica para el tratamiento de la acalasia esofágica en el adulto mayor / Laparoscopic Heller myotomy for the treatment of e sophageal achalasia in the elderly

Introducción: la miotomía de Heller laparoscópica como tratamiento de elección en los pacientes de edades avanzadas aun es controversial para algunos autores. Objetivo: determinar la evolución clínica posoperatoria de los pacientes adultos mayores con acalasia esofágica intervenidos con miotomía de Heller laparoscópica. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo y longitudinal, donde se revisaron las historias clínicas de los pacientes con diagnóstico de acalasia esofágica a los cuales se les realizó miotomía de Heller laparoscópica en el Centro Nacional de Cirugía de Mínimo Acceso desde enero de 2010 hasta diciembre de 2014. Se clasificaron los pacientes en 2 grupos de edades: grupo 1 (< 60 años) y grupo 2 (≥60 años). El tiempo de evolución de los síntomas, tratamientos endoscópicos previos y el grado de dilatación del esófago fueron analizados. Resultados: la conversión y la mortalidad fueron nula en ambos grupos. La estadía hospitalaria de 1 día. Los pacientes del grupo 2 tuvieron una evolución clínica de excelente o buena a los 6 y 12 meses según la clasificación clínica posoperatoria de Vantrappen y Hellemans, un paciente clasificó en evolución desfavorable y el mismo pertenece al grupo de < 60 años. Conclusiones: la evolución clínica posoperatoria de los pacientes adultos mayores operados por acalasia esofágica reafirman que la miotomía de Heller laparoscópica es una alternativa de tratamiento de elección en este grupo de edad(AU)

Introduction: laparoscopic Heller myotomy treatment of choice in elderly patients with esophageal achalasia is still controversial for some authors. Objective: determine the postoperative clinical course of elderly patients with achalasia esophageal (EA) surgery with laparoscopic Heller myotomy. Methods: a descriptive, retrospective and longitudinal study, where the medical records of patients with diagnosis of EA to which underwent laparoscopic Heller myotomy in the National Center for Minimal Access Surgery (CNCMA) was conducted the period january 2010 to december 2014. Patients were classified into 2 age groups: group 1 (<60 years) and group 2 (≥60 years). The time evolution of symptoms, previous endoscopic treatment and the degree of dilation of the esophagus were analyzed. Results: the conversion and mortality was zero in both groups. The hospital stay was 1 day. Group 2 patients had a clinical evolution of excellent or good at 6 and 12 months depending on the postoperative clinical classification of Vantrappen and Hellemans, a patient classified in unfavorable and it belongs to the group of <60 years. Conclusions: the postoperative clinical course of elderly patients operated achalasia esophageal reaffirm that laparoscopic Heller myotomy is an alternative treatment of choice in this age group(AU)

Estrategias terapéuticas en el tratamiento de la acalasia esofágica / Therapeutical strategies in the treatment of esophageal achalasia

Introducción: la acalasia es un trastorno degenerativo de la motilidad esofágica cuyo resultado es la ausencia o pobre relajación del esfínter esofágico inferior a la deglución asociado a trastorno motor del cuerpo esofágico. Afecta a ambos sexos con una incidencia de 1/100 000 y una prevalencia de 10/100 000. En su fisiopatología se han involucrado factores inmunológicos, genéticos, infecciosos y neurodegenerativos, que conllevan a pérdida selectiva de las neuronas inhibitorias del plexo mientérico e infiltrado inflamatorio en el esfínter esofágico inferior. Objetivo: revisar las modalidades terapéuticas en el tratamiento de la acalasia con un análisis a corto y largo plazo de las opciones de tratamiento. Métodos: con la introducción para su diagnóstico de la manometría de alta resolución se ha creado un novedoso sistema de clasificación que puede evaluar el pronóstico para el paciente y predecir la respuesta al tratamiento. La terapéutica descansa sobre la base de: tratamiento médico, procederes endoscópicos y tratamiento quirúrgico, siendo éste el estándar terapéutico, aunque continúa el debate sobre qué método es mejor, si la dilatación neumática, o la miotomía de Heller. Resultados: la miotomía laparoscópica de Heller (MLH) ha emergido en los últimos años como el tratamiento de elección, particularmente en pacientes jóvenes (≤ 45 años). Desde noviembre del 2012 hasta septiembre del 2015 se han realizado 27 dilataciones endoscópicas,15 mujeres (55,6 por ciento) y 12 hombres (44,4 por ciento), sin reportar complicaciones. Desde enero 2010 hasta diciembre 2014 se realizaron 188 miotomías de Heller por abordaje laparoscópico, el promedio de estadía hospitalaria fue de un día, no hubo conversión ni reintervención y la mortalidad fue nula(AU)

Introduction: Achalasia is a neurodegenerative motility disorder of the esophagus resulting in failure of the lower esophageal sphincter to relax properly in response to swallowing and associated to motor disorder of the esophageal body. It affects both sex with an incidence rate of 1/100 000 and a prevalence of 10/100 000. Its pathophysiology includes immune, genetics, infectious and neurodegenerative factors that result in a selective loss of inhibitory neurons of the myenteric plexus and inflammatory infiltrate in the lower esophageal sphincter. Objective: Objectives: To review the therapeutic modalities in the treatment of achalasia with short- and long-term analysis of treatment options. Methods: Through the introduction of high resolution manometry, a novel classification system for achalasia has been created to evaluate the prognosis of a patient and to predict response to treatment. Therapeutics is based on medical treatment, endoscopic procedures and surgery, being the latter the gold standard; however there is currently much debate over whether pneumatic dilation is better than Heller myotomy procedure in the treatment of achalasia. Results: Laparoscopic Heller myotomy has emerged in the last few years as the treatment of choice, particularly for young patients 45 years of age or younger. From November 2012 to September 2015, 27 endoscopic dilations have been perfomed in 15 women (55.6 percent) and 12 men (44.4 percent) with no reported complications. From January 2010 to December 2014, one hundred and eighty eight laparoscopic Heller myotomies were performed; the hospital stay was one day, neither conversion nor reoperation was necessary and the mortality rate was zero(AU)