BACKGROUND: The chagasic megaesophagus is progressive esophageal motility dysfunction. Its main symptoms are dysphagia, regurgitation and weight loss. Cardiomyotomy associated with fundoplication is used as treatment for advanced megaesophagus since decades ago. AIM: To evaluate the results obtained with cardiomyotomy associated with laparoscopic fundoplication for the treatment of non-advanced megaesophagus. METHOD: A retrospective study with analysis of the results obtained with this operation for the treatment of megaesophagus grade I and II was done. Were evaluated the weight loss, time and intensity of symptoms, operative time, conversion rate, complication rate, length of hospitalization. RESULTS: Were operated 68 patients, 34 men. The majority (42%) had severe symptoms. The average length of symptoms was 9.27 years. The mean weight loss was 5.1 kg. Chagas serology was positive in 88.13%. The average operation time was 190 minutes. There was one conversion to laparotomy. The median length of hospital stay was three days. The complication rate was 4.4%. The improvement in symptoms was observed in 92% of patients. CONCLUSION: The laparoscopic treatment of non-advanced megaesophagus by cadiomiotomy associated with fundoplication was found to be safe and effective method. Has a low complication rate and good results in short follow-up.
Esophagus; Esophageal achalasia; Chagas cardiomyopathy; Fundoplication
