Surgical Treatment of Esophageal Achalasia in the Era of Minimally Invasive Surgery

INTRODUCTION: We have analyzed the short- and long-term results of various surgical therapies for achalasia, especially changes in postoperative esophageal function. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2017, 54 patients with esophageal achalasia were treated in our institution. Patients scheduled for surgery underwent a comprehensive gastroenterological assessment pre- and post-surgery. Forty-eight of the elective cases involved a laparoscopic cardiomyotomy with Dor’s semifundoplication, while two cases entailed an esophageal resection with an intrathoracic gastric replacement for end-stage achalasia. Torek’s operation was performed on two patients for iatrogenic esophageal perforation, and two others underwent primary suture repair with Heller–Dor surgery as an emergency procedure. The results of the different surgical treatments, as well as changes in the patients’ pre- and post-operative complaints were evaluated. RESULTS: No intra-operative complications were observed, and no mortalities resulted. During the 12 to 24-month follow-up period, recurrent dysphagia was observed mostly in the spastic group (TIII: 33%; diffuse esophageal spasm: 60%), while its occurrence in the TI type did not change significantly (14.5%–20.8%). As a result of the follow-up of more than two years, good symptom control was achieved in 93.7% of the patients, with only four patients (8.3%) developing postoperative reflux. CONCLUSIONS: The laparoscopic Heller–Dor procedure provides satisfactory long-term results with low morbidity. In emergency and advanced cases, traditional surgical procedures are still the recommended therapy.