Esophageal achalasia detected by vomiting during induction of general anesthesia: a case report

Background Esophageal achalasia is a rare disease with a high risk of aspiration during anesthesia induction. Here, we describe our experience involving a case of undiagnosed esophageal achalasia with profuse vomiting during anesthesia induction. Case presentation A 58-year-old woman was scheduled for orthopedic surgery under general anesthesia. She vomited a large amount of watery contents during anesthesia induction, and planned surgery was postponed. After recovery from anesthesia, she informed us that she usually had to drink a large amount of water to get food into her stomach and purged watery vomit every night before sleep. However, she attributed it to her constitutional problem, not to a specific disease. She was subsequently diagnosed with esophageal achalasia and underwent Heller myotomy with Dor fundoplication before her re-scheduled orthopedic surgery. Conclusions A detailed history of dysphagia and regurgitation should be taken in preoperative examinations to prevent unexpected aspiration due to undiagnosed achalasia.

Resolution of symptoms after Heller's cardiomyotomy with DOR fundoplication versus endoscopic balloon dilatation in patients with achalasia Cardia at tertiary care hospital

Objective: The objective was to compare symptoms improvement following Heller's myotomy with DOR fundoplication (HM-DOR) and endoscopic pneumatic dilatation (PD) for the treatment of achalasia cardia at one year follow up. Methods: This prospective comparative study was conducted at department of upper GI and minimally invasive surgery, Civil hospital Karachi from February 2016- January 2019. All patients diagnosed as a case of achalasia cardia on esophageal manometry were included in this study. Subjects were grouped into two treatment groups: Endoscopic Pneumatic Dilatation(PD) and laparoscopic Heller's myotomy with DOR fundoplication (HM-DOR). Results: A total of 42 patients were taken into study, of which 21 patients were randomly assigned in each of the two groups (surgery and endoscopic). Mean age of patients undergoing laparoscopic Heller’s myotomy and endoscopic pneumatic balloon dilatation was 34±8.59 and 37±12.87 years respectively. Treatment success in PD group was 52% (11/21) as compared to HM-DOR group which was 76% (16/21). Post Eckardt scores reduction at 1 year follow up between PD and HM-DOR were statistically significant (p<0.001). Patient satisfaction measured by likert's scale was significantly more in the surgery group. Conclusion: The efficacy of HM appears to be greater than PD for improvement in dysphagia and overall patients satisfaction score over a 1 year follow up period. Keywords: Esophageal achalasia, Heller’s myotomy (HM), Endoscopic pneumatic dilatation (PD). Continuous...

Efficacy and Safety of Robotic Dor Fundoplication on Severe Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Patients With Scleroderma

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a disease that affects the gastrointestinal tract resulting in its atrophy and fibrosis of smooth muscles. Approximately 80% of SSc patients develop both gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and dysphagia. The nocturnal GERD can cause regurgitation and aspiration, which can further aggravate the pulmonary fibrosis from SSc. Also, their dysphagia is further worsened by performing standard Nissen fundoplication. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether Dor fundoplication (a 180° anterior wrap) can reduce nocturnal heartburn and regurgitation without worsening dysphagia in patients with SSc and severe GERD. Five SSc patients with drug-refractory severe GERD underwent a Dor fundoplication procedure with a median follow-up of 2 years (range: 1-5 years). In all 5 patients, the preoperative high-resolution manometry showed significant impairment of esophageal motility. Patients were interviewed postoperatively to assess for nocturnal and diurnal GERD symptoms, treatment response, the status of dysphagia, and adverse effects of surgery. The average age of 5 patients was 50 years and all were females. Four of the 5 patients (80%) reported 90% improvement in both diurnal and nocturnal GERD symptoms since surgery, with no nocturnal reflux, heartburn, or regurgitation, and reports to sleep at night without requiring any more pillows or wedges. About 50% of patients reported a decrease in their proton pump inhibitor dosage after surgery compared to before surgery. No surgical complication was reported and specifically, no worsening of dysphagia. The Dor fundoplication performed for refractory GERD in SSc patients substantially decreases heartburn and regurgitation, primarily nocturnal, without affecting dysphagia, thus improving the quality of life.