BACKGROUND: It has been argued that a Dor's fundoplication following myotomy is useful to prevent leakage due to overlooked iatrogenic perforations of esophagus and it is able to stop sphincter reconstruction, avoiding recurrent achalasia. Another strain of thought is that anterior fundoplication causes significant local distortion by fibrosis because the gastric patch impairs mesotelial epithelization by covering the myotomy and that iatrogenic perforations are easily diagnosed by laparoscopic magnification. The purpose of this research is to compare the wound healing of the laparoscopic esophageal myotomy with and without a gastric patch. METHODS: Eighteen male pigs were distributed into three groups of six. Esophageal myotomy was performed in group A. A gastric patch was associated to group B. Myotomy was not performed in group C. On the 21st postoperative day, lumen molding was accomplished to determine the index of stenosis (IS) at the area of myotomy (AM) and at the oesophagogastric junction (OJ) RESULTS: Longer operative duration (t Student) in group B (93. 6") than in group A (45"). At AM, IS was negative (lumen increased) and equivalent in both groups (Mann-Withney): -11.1% in group A and -12.7% in group B. IS at OJ was always higher than IS at AM (Wilcoxon): 18% versus -11.1% in group A and 37.7% versus -12.7% in group B. IS at OJ in group B (37.7%) was predominant among all groups (Kruskal-Wallis): group A = 18%; group C = 15.5%. Mesotelial epithelium was observed in group A. Inflammatory reaction was greater in group B (leucocytes: 22 versus 8.6; fibrosis: 25.5 fibers versus 15.6; and granulation tissue: 18.7 vessels versus 9.7) than in group A. CONCLUSION: Esophageal myotomy followed by Dor's fundoplication does not heal adequately and also results in lumen stricture at the oesophagogastric transition. Myotomy without gastric patch is faster and causes less inflammation.
Esophageal Achalasia; Laparoscopy; Wound Healing; Video-Assisted Surgery; Surgical Procedures; Operative; Swine
