Objective To review the clinical experience of Heller myotomy for treatment of achalasia through a small thoracotomy. Methods Twenty-five patients with achalasia (9 moderate, 16 severe) underwent Heller myotomy without concomitant antireflux procedure through a small incision. A left thoracotomy was carried out through either the seventh or eighth intercostals space. The length of skin incision was 6 to 8 cm. Results There was no hospital death and severe postoperative complications. The mean operating time was 50 minutes. Mean hospital stay was 10 days. There was one intraoperative perforation and repaired successfully. All patients reported good to excellent relief of dysphagia and no symptom of gastroesophageal reflux after surgery. Eight patients were subsequently studied with a 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring and no evidence of pathologic reflux found. Conclusions Transthoracic Heller myotomy with a small incision is effective and safe method for treatment of achalasia with minimal invasion, quick recovery, less postoperative complication and shorter hospital stay. Proper extent of the myotomy may decrease the risk of subsequent gastroesophageal reflux in the postoperative period.
Mini-invasive video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has been employed in diagnosis and treatment of esophageal diseases for about 10 years. The potential advantages of VATS over thoracotomy are reduction of chest pain just after the operation and in the long run, lower incidence of postoperative respiratory complications, and reduction of aesthetic sequelae. Thoracoscopic staging of esophageal cancer is to evaluate the invasion and metastasis of cancer, which is helpful for better selection of patients for appropriate treatment .Operation of esophageal cancer with VATS is prescribed mainly in the early stage of carcinoma, but it’s application is restricted due to the multiple sites of operation and complexity of procedures. VATS for benign esophageal diseases such as esophageal leiomyoma and achalasia is becoming the preferable choice of operation in qualified medical centers.
目的探讨腹腔镜微创手术治疗贲门失弛缓症的应用价值。 方法2007年11月至2009年12月期间，中国医科大学附属盛京医院微创外科对5例贲门失弛缓症患者实施腹腔镜改良Heller手术并胃底折叠术。 结果手术过程顺利，手术时间120～165 min，平均139 min； 术中失血50～200 ml，平均88 ml； 术后第1天进食，吞咽困难症状消失，无手术相关并发症。 5例患者均痊愈出院。术后随访8～31个月，平均19个月，无症状复发或出现返流症状。 结论腹腔镜手术治疗贲门失弛缓症安全、效果良好，值得进一步推广。
Objective Through a retrospective study on esophageal function changes and symptom relief after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery treatment for achalasia of cardia (AC) to assess the clinical value of this operation. Methods We reviewed the data of 34 AC patients who received modified Heller operation by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University from March 2012 to September 2014. There were 11 males and 23 females with a median age of 35 (11–67) years. These patients were divided into four groups according to the time of treatment and follow-up: preoperative group, postoperative one-month group, postoperative three-month group and postoperative six-month group. Changes of symptoms, radiography and esophageal dynamics before and after therapy were collected. These different groups were analyzed based on statistical methods. Results There was no statistical difference in ages and genders among groups (P>0.05). The surgery was successful and no complication or death occurred. Symptoms of patients showed different degrees of relief and the postoperative grade of clinical symptoms decreased (P<0.05). After surgery, lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP), lower esophageal sphincter resting pressure (LESRP) and esophageal body pressure (EBP) decreased significantly, while lower esophageal sphincter relax rate (LESRR) increased (P<0.05). While there was no significant difference in length of lower esophageal sphincter (LESL,P>0.05). Angiography of upper digestive tract revealed that compared to the preoperative group, the maximum width in postoperative three-month group decreased significantly (P<0.05). During the follow-up, 3 patients suffered gastroesophageal reflux, 2 patients esophageal perforation and 1 patient empyema due to esophago-pleural fistula. No massive hemorrhage of upper digestive tract and hiatal hernia occured. Conclusion Sugery can significantly ameliorate the clinical symptoms of the patients with AC, and improve esophageal dynamics. And it is simple and easy to perform with less complications and better long-term outcomes. Improved Heller operation by video-assisted thoracoscopy is a less invasive procedure when compared with the traditional thoracotomy. Moreover, esophageal manometry can objectively assist in the diagnosis and degree of the disease and effect of therapy.
Objective Through the methods of evidence-based medicine, to make an individualized treatment plan for a patient with achalasia. Methods Based on an adequate assessment of the patient’s condition, clinical issues aimed at this case were put forward. And the best clinical evidence related to achalasia treatment was evaluated after being retrieved from The Cochrane library (1990 to 2010) and PubMed (1980 to 2010). Results 33 studies were retrieved including 29 RCTs and 4 systematic reviews. The efficacy and safety of drug therapy, endoscopic injection of botulinum, endoscopic balloon dilatation and surgical therapy were evaluated. Cosidering symptoms,age and comorbidities, we recommended endoscopic balloon dilatation or laparoscopic Heller postoperative plus Dor fundoplication surgery for treatment. The patient’s choice is endoscopic balloon dilatation. Symptoms of patient were relieved after treatment. Conclusion Making a rational therapeutic plan for achalasia patients by means of evidence-based treatment not only can improve therapeutic effect but also be beneficial for both doctors and patients to share uncertain risks.
Objective To compare effectiveness between laparoscopic Heller myotomy and peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) in treatment of achalasia of cardia (AC) in order to provide a basis for clinical choose. Method The literatures about the treatment of AC by laparoscopic Heller myotomy or POEM were retrieved from CNKI, Embase, PubMed databases, etc., and then the contents about curative effect and complications were summarized. Results The treatment models of AC included surgical treatment such as laparoscopic Heller myotomy and endoscopy such as POEM, but there was still lack of comparing data in these two treatment models, its selection remained controversial. There was a better short-term curative effect and slighter complications for POEM as compared with the laparoscopic Heller myotomy from the trend of published literatures. However, it’s long-term effects for these two treatment models were not clarified. Conclusions Both laparoscopic Heller myotomy and POEM are medicable for AC. POEM as a new treatment of AC shows some advantages of minimal invasion and exact efficacy, but it needs to be followed-up for a long-term. Treatment model for AC is chosen on basis of typing under endoscope, physical fitness, anatomy of easophagus, previous history, tolerance of surgery and other factors.
Objective To investigate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic operation of gastric and gastroesophageal junction diseases. Methods Between May 2004 and June 2009, 59 patients with gastric and gastroesophageal diseases were treated laparoscopically. The operative methods and maneuvers were evaluated and perioperative interventions, complications and efficacy of patients were analyzed. Results All operations were successfully completed laparoscopically except for one patient with gastric cancer who required a conversion to open surgery. No short-term complications occurred in all cases. No port transplant metastasis occurred for the patients with gastric cancer after an average of 36 months (1-60 months) follow-up. One patient died of liver metastasis 12 months after operation. The 3-year survival rate was 93.3% (14/15). Conclusion Laparoscopic surgery of the gastric and gastroesophageal junction diseases is feasible and safe with minimal invasiveness, which is worth popularizing.