BACKGROUND: Various techniques have been used for the surgical treatment of esophageal achalasia, however, the best results for non - advanced esophageal achalasia has been achieved by miotomy. Laparoscopy for non advanced esophageal achalasia have been showing similar results than convencional surgery, with the benefits of a minimally invasive procedure. The aim of this study was to analyze the results of laparoscopy Heller miotomy and Dor fundoplication for non - advanced esophageal achalasia. METHODS: Twelve patients with non - advanced esophageal achalasia submitted to laparoscopic Heller miotomy and Dor fundoplication from Jan/99 to Dec/01 were prospectively analised. RESULTS: All surgeries were completed by laparoscopy with no conversion. Nine patients were assymptomatic and tree presented dysphagia, regurgitation and heartburn, respectively. These patients had a median follow-up of 13.2 months (9-39). There were two cases of gastric perfuration and one case of esophageal perfuration but no deaths occured in this series. CONCLUSION: Based in this study, we could conclude that the Heller miotomy associated to the Dor fundoplication by laparoscopy has a low complication rate. Its use was effective and safe for esophageal achalasia. The surgery is perfectively performed by laparoscopy, with results similar to those of laparotomy, added to the benefits of minimally invasive surgery.
Esophageal achalasia; Laparoscopic; Fundoplication
