Despite several advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology of achalasia, treatment remains palliative as the neuronal defect of the disease seems to be irreversible. Currently, the most effective treatment options are graded endoscopic pneumatic dilation and laparoscopic Heller myotomy with partial fundoplication. Although both treatments seem to have similar efficacy in the short-ter...

Achalasia Cardia is a rare neurodegenerative disorder of esophagus resulting in defective peristalsis and impaired relaxation of lower esophageal sphincter. The exact etiopathogenesis of achalasia is not known. Achalasia is associated with significant morbidity and impaired quality of life. The standard of care in patients with achalasia has been pneumatic balloon dilatation and laparoscopic he...

Abstract Background Achalasia is a rare condition affecting less than 1:100,000 patients. Treatment for this include balloon dilation, botox injection, endoscopic myotomy (POEMS) or surgical myotomy. Laparoscopic the “go to” approach most surgeons; it tried and tested, can be performed safely quickly with low complication rate, minimal pain short length of stay. Methods This video presents tech...

Achalasia is an uncommon primary motor disorder of the esophagus with an annual incidence of 0.8/100,000. Very few cases of coexistent Barrett’s esophagus (BE) and achalasia in patients without prior surgical myotomy or pneumatic dilation have been reported. We report the case of a 65-year-old female who was diagnosed with achalasia in June 2002. Endoscopy at that time revealed biopsy-confirmed...

IMPORTANCE Although successful treatment of achalasia depends on alleviating the obstruction at the esophagogastric junction, the postintervention contractile and pressurization pattern may also play a role in outcome. OBJECTIVE To determine whether myotomy that alleviates the esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction in achalasia might improve peristalsis. DESIGN Retrospective study fro...

Background. Achalasia may lead to cachexia if not diagnosed in an early stage. Surgery in cachectic patients is hazardous and complications may result in a protracted recovery or even death. Different treatment options have been described. In this paper, we report a stepwise surgical laparoscopic approach which appears to be safe and effective. Methods. Over a one-year period, a patient with a ...

Objective: Achalasia is a disease characterized by lower esophageal sphincter motility disorder. Whereas there no clear algorithm in treating achalasia children, Heller myotomy known to be as the most effective method. Gastroesophageal reflux after frequently reported complication. Therefore, fundoplication procedure should added simultaneously. Our study aimed present results of patients who u...

Epiphrenic diverticulum of the lower third of the esophagus is a relatively rare disorder. We present the case of a large, 7.5 cm diameter esophageal epiphrenic diverticulum treated by the laparoscopic approach. Surgery was indicated by the severity of the patient's symptoms and size of the diverticulum. A laparoscopic transhiatal diverticulectomy with a myotomy and Dor fundoplication was carri...

The aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness with which Heller's myotomy can be performed laparoscopically in a Caribbean setting as a treatment for achalasia. Sixteen consecutive patients treated by the same surgeon were studied. Postoperative questionnaires that assessed symptomatology, complications and overall patient satisfaction with the procedure were utilized. The mean length o...