Evaluation of Short-term Outcomes of Laparoscopic Heller Cardiomyotomy with Dor Fundoplication Versus Pneumatic Dilatation for Treatment of Achalasia

Background: Achalasia is a rare esophageal motility disorder of unknown cause. However, the best treatment modality for achalasia is controversial. Treatment consists of disruption of the lower esophageal sphincter, classically either by endoscopic pneumatic dilation or laparoscopic Heller’s myotomy combined with an anti-reflux procedure. The study aim was to compare laparoscopic Heller cardiomyotomy plus Dor Fundoplication with pneumatic dilatation for treatment of achalasia.Methods: In this interventional study, we included 50 adult patients diagnosed as having achalasia by performing either a barium study or by the absence of peristalsis and impaired relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter on esophageal manometry. The patients were randomly classified into two groups according to the intervention performed: pneumatic dilation or laparoscopic Heller’s cardiomyotomy with Dor’s fundoplication(LHCM). Follow-up evaluations were performed after 8 and 16 months.Results: In total, 50 patients with achalasia and an Eckardt symptom score > 3 were managed by two different interventions according to their groups.After 16 months of follow up the height of a barium-contrast column after 5 min was significantly lower in the LHCM group than in the pneumatic dilation group. There were no other statistically significant differences in the primary or secondary outcomes(Eckardt score, lower esophageal sphincter, and quality of life) between the two groups.Conclusion: After 16 months of follow-up, the rates of therapeutic success and number of complications were nearly similar between LHCM and pneumatic dilation. We conclude that either treatment is suitable as an initial treatment for achalasia.

Experience of application of 3D-visualization in laparoscopic operations

Objective. Studying of first results of application of 3D visualization in various laparoscopic interventions. Materials and methods. There were performed 169 operations: 27 transabdominal preperitoneal plasties of inguinal hernias, 19 intraperitoneal alloplasties of umbilical and postoperative ventral hernias with suturing of hernia defect, 1 retromuscular alloplasty of umbilical hernia, 6 reconstructions of anterior abdominal wall for dyastasis of rectal abdominal muscles, 103 plasties of hiatal hernias with fundoplications, 7 Heller’s cardiomyotomies and Dor’s fundoplication, 1 subtotal, 3 atypical gastric resections and 2 sleeve gastric resections for obesity. Results. 3D laparoscopy have simplified and accelerated the parietal peritoneum suturing in conduction of transabdominal preperitoneal plasties of inguinal hernias, as well as while performance of intraperitoneal alloplasties of umbilical and postoperative ventral hernias – the hernia defect suturing. While doing the hiatal hernia plasty, fundoplication with crurorrhaphy 3D laparoscopy have provided the additional advantages of manipulations improvement in special anatomic zones. Analogous advantages were shown in gastric operations, using 3D visualization. Intra- and postoperative complications were absent, as well as the hernias recurrence in the 6 mo-1.5 yr follow-up. Conclusion. The 3D visualization guarantees a rapid and highly-precision performance of complex manipulations in technically hard anatomical zones. Further accumulation of the material and comparison of results of 3D and 2D laparoscopy in prospective investigations, using objective parameters, as well as studying of expediency for 3D visualization selective application, for instance while performance of the most complicated operative stages are necessary.

A case report on achalasia cardia type - II

Achalasia cardia is the rare chronic neurodegenerative disorder of the esophagus which causes progressive delay in contractility of lower esophageal muscles during swallowing leading to backup of food contents and fluids in later stages within the region of esophagus. It is considered as the common leading cause of motor dysphagia. The underlying etiology include autoimmune disorder, nervous degeneration due to loss of inhibitory ganglion in myenteric plexus of esophagus, presence of inhibitory neurotransmitters such as nitric oxide and its receptors in lower esophagus. At initial presentation drugs are prescribed as the symptoms mimic other GI disorders which often lead to delayed diagnosis. The symptoms mainly include severe pain or discomfort of chest after eating, weight loss, regurgitation of bland undigested food or saliva, severe heartburn, dysphagia, aspiration. Initial treatment includes the pharmacotherapeutic management to alleviate the symptoms and improve the esophageal outflow. Surgical treatment involves pneumatic dilatation, Heller’s myotomy, preoral endoscopic myotomy, esophagectomy. Heller’s myotomy may be performed by open or laparoscopic procedure. It is done along with Dor’s fundoplication. Case report discussed below is of a 55 years old female patient presented with dysphagia for one year. The symptoms of which worsened for 2 months along with vomiting of undigested foul-smelling food.

Laparoscopic antireflux surgery - our initial experience

Introduction: Laparoscopic antireflux surgery (LARS) currently represents the gold standard in the surgical management of gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) with minimal morbidity and mortality. Routine fundoplication following laparoscopic Heller’s cardiomyotomy is also being recommended to reduce the incidence of pathological gastro-oesophageal reflux after surgery. The aim of the current study was to evaluate patients receiving LARS and to assess their surgical outcomesMethods: Prospective data of all patients admitted in our department with these diseases and undergoing LARS, from May 2014 to November 2015 were reviewed. Patients with Achalasia cardia underwent Laparoscopic Heller’s cardiomyotomy with Dor’s fundoplication and those with GERD with hiatus hernia underwent Laparoscopic Toupet’s fundoplication. Age, sex, duration of surgery, surgical morbidity and hospital stay were recorded. Results: Eleven patients underwent LARS. Females were 5(45.5%) and males were 6 (54.5%). Mean age of patients was 36.18 ± 15.79 years (range 18-68 years). 6 patients (54.5%) underwent Laparoscopic Heller’s cardiomyotomy with Dor’s fundoplication for Achalasia cardia while 5 patients (45.5%) underwent Laparoscopic fundoplication. The median operating room time was 133.64 ± 15.66 minutes (range, 110–160). There were no conversions. The median hospital stay was 3.45±0.522 days (range, 3-4 days). No postoperative complications or preoperative deaths occurred. No patient had a perforation revealed on the postoperative contrast swallow when performed. Gastro esophageal reflux symptoms were significantly improved and severity of dysphagia was also reduced after surgery. The average follow-up period is 5.45 ± 2.67 months (range, 3- 12).Conclusion: LARS is well established technique and becoming more popular over conventional open surgery in view of its equal safety and efficacy with added advantage of less morbidity and mortality. However larger case series and long term follow up would be warranted.