LAPAROSCOPIC HELLERS CARDIOMYOTOMY WITHOUT AN ANTIREFLUX PROCEDURE

The treatment of achalasia by laparoscopic Heller's cardiomyotomy may combine the minimally invasive advantages of pneumatic dilatation with the success rate and low risk of perforation of conventional surgery. The requirement for an antireflux procedure remains a contentious iss ue, as in conventional surgery. Nine patients underwent laparoscopic c ardiomyotomy; excellent symptomatic relief was obtained in eight at fo llow-up between 12 and 21 months after operation. Four of these patien ts agreed to 24-h pH monitoring and showed no evidence of acid reflux. One patient, however, developed recurrent symptoms associated with si gnificant acidity on monitoring. Laparoscopic Heller's cardiomyotomy w ithout an antireflux procedure produced effective symptomatic relief i n this small group of patients.