This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Patti, M. G. Articles by Pellegrini, C. A. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Patti, M. G. Articles by Pellegrini, C. A. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Cardiomyotomy

Department of Surgery, Uniaersity of-Califomia, San Francisco, CA, University of California San Francisco Swallowing Center, San Francisco, CA, Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Andrea Tamburini, MD

Department of Surgery, Uniaersity of-Califomia, San Francisco, CA, University of California San Francisco Swallowing Center, San Francisco, CA, Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Carlos A. Pellegrini, MD

Department of Surgery, Uniaersity of-Califomia, San Francisco, CA, University of California San Francisco Swallowing Center, San Francisco, CA, Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

During the last decade, minimally invasive surgery has replaced open surgery in the treatment of esophageal achalasia. This new approach, in fact, determines results similar to the open approach, but is associated to a shorter hospital stay, minimal postoperative discomfort, and faster return to regular activity. Between 1991 and 1998, 168 patients underwent a cardiomyotomy by minimally invasive techniques. Good or excellent results were obtained in 85% of patients after thoracoscopic myotomy, and 93% of patients after laparoscopic myotomy and partial fundoplication. The latter procedure was followed by a lower incidence of postoperative gastroesophageal reflux (60% versus 17%). Laparoscopic Heller myotomy and partial fundoplication has emerged as the procedure of choice for esophageal achalasia, and it should be considered today the primary form of treatment for this disease. Copyright@ 1999 by W. B. Saunders Company

Key Words: Esophageal achalasia • laparoscopic Heller myotomy • thoracoscopic Heller myotomy • cardiomyotomy • pneumatic dilatation.

Surgical Innovation, Vol. 6, No. 4, 186-193 (1999)
DOI: 10.1177/155335069900600403


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?