Laparoscopic heller myotomy versus peroral endoscopic myotomy for the treatment of achalasia.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To compare different therapeutic modalities and determine their role in the treatment of esophageal achalasia. RECENT FINDINGS: The last 3 decades have seen a significant improvement in the diagnosis and treatment of esophageal achalasia. Conventional manometry has been replaced by high-resolution manometry, which has determined a more precise classification of achalasia in three subtypes, with important treatment implications. Therapy, while still palliative, has evolved tremendously. While pneumatic dilatation was for a long time the main choice of treatment, this approach slowly changed at the beginning of the nineties when minimally invasive surgery was adopted, initially thoracoscopically and then laparoscopically with the addition of partial fundoplication. And in 2010, the first report of a new endoscopic technique - peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) - was published, revamping the interest in the endoscopic treatment of achalasia. SUMMARY: This review focuses particularly on the comparison of POEM and laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) with partial fundoplication as primary treatment modality for esophageal achalasia. Based on the available data, we believe that LHM with partial fundoplication should be the primary treatment modality in most patients. POEM should be selected when surgical expertise is not available, for type III achalasia, for the treatment of recurrent symptoms, and for patients who had prior abdominal operations that would make LHM challenging and unsafe.

The evolution of the treatment of esophageal achalasia. Chronicle of a 35-year journey.

Over the last few decades, significant improvement has been made in both the evaluation and treatment of esophageal achalasia. The Chicago classification, today in version 4.0, is now the standard for diagnosis of achalasia, providing a classification into 3 subtypes with important therapeutic and prognostic implications. Therapy, which was at first mostly limited to pneumatic dilatation, today includes minimally invasive surgery and peroral endoscopic myotomy, allowing for a more tailored approach to patients and better treatment of recurrent symptoms. This review chronicles my personal experience with achalasia over the last 35 years, describing the progress made in the treatment of patients with achalasia.

Modern insights into the pathophysiology and treatment of pseudoachalasia.

BACKGROUND: Secondary achalasia or pseudoachalasia is a clinical presentation undistinguishable from achalasia in terms of symptoms, manometric, and radiographic findings, but associated with different and identifiable underlying causes. METHODS: A literature review was conducted on the PubMed database restricting results to the English language. Key terms used were "achalasia-like" with 63 results, "secondary achalasia" with 69 results, and "pseudoachalasia" with 141 results. References of the retrieved papers were also manually reviewed. RESULTS: Etiology, diagnosis, and treatment were reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: Pseudoachalasia is a rare disease. Most available evidence regarding this condition is based on case reports or small retrospective series. There are different causes but all culminating in outflow obstruction. Clinical presentation and image and functional tests overlap with primary achalasia or are inaccurate, thus the identification of secondary achalasia can be delayed. Inadequate diagnosis leads to futile therapies and could worsen prognosis, especially in neoplastic disease. Routine screening is not justifiable; good clinical judgment still remains the best tool. Therapy should be aimed at etiology. Even though Heller's myotomy brings the best results in non-malignant cases, good clinical judgment still remains the best tool as well.

High-resolution 3-dimensional tomography may be a useful tool for understanding the anatomy of hiatal hernias and surgical planning of patients eligible for laparoscopic or robotic antireflux surgery.

BACKGROUND: 3D computed tomography (CT) has been seldom used for the evaluation of hiatal hernias (HH) in surgical patients. This study aims to describe the 3D CT findings in candidates for laparoscopic or robotic antireflux surgery or HH repair and compare them with other tests. METHODS: Thirty patients with HH and/or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) who were candidates for surgical treatment and underwent high-resolution CT were recruited. The variables studied were distance from the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) to the hiatus; total gastric volume and herniated gastric volume, percentage of herniated volume in relation to the total gastric volume; diameters and area of the esophageal hiatus. RESULTS: HH was diagnosed with CT in 21 (70%) patients. There was no correlation between the distance EGJ-hiatus and the herniated gastric volume. There was a statistically significant correlation between the distance from the EGJ to the hiatus and the area of the esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm. There was correlation between tomographic and endoscopic findings for the presence and size of HH. HH was diagnosed with manometry in 9 (50%) patients. There was no correlation between tomographic and manometric findings for the diagnosis of HH and between hiatal area and lower esophageal sphincter basal pressure. There was no correlation between any parameter and DeMeester score. CONCLUSIONS: The anatomy of HH and the hiatus can be well defined by 3D CT. The EGJ-hiatus distance may be equally measured by 3D CT or upper digestive endoscopy. DeMeester score did not correlate with any anatomical parameter.

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Lacks Intrasurgeon and Intersurgeon Agreement in Technical Key Points That May Affect Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease After the Procedure.

PURPOSE: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) after sleeve gastrectomy (SG) may be related to surgical technique. The fact that there is a lack of technical standardization may explain large differences in GERD incidence. The aim of this study is to evaluate auto- and hetero-agreement for SG technical key points based on recorded videos. METHODS: Ten experienced (minimum of 5 years performing bariatric surgery, minimum of 30 SG per year) bariatric surgeons (9 (90%) males) were selected. Participants were invited to send an unedited video with a typical laparoscopic SG (first round of the Delphi process). Videos were cropped into small clips comprising 11 key points of the technique. All anonymized clips (including their own) were returned to all surgeons. Individuals were asked to agree or not with the technique demonstrated (second round). The percentage of agreement was presented to the entire group that was asked for a second vote (third round). RESULTS: Agreement was poor/fair for all points except hiatal repair that had a very good agreement in the second round. For the third round, there was a slight increase in agreement for distance esophagogastric junction/proximal stapling and gastric mobilization for stapling and a slight decrease in agreement for gastric tube final shape. Only 1 (10%) surgeon recognized that he evaluated his own video. Five (50%) surgeons disagreed with themselves on 1 or more points. CONCLUSION: SG lacks intrasurgeon and intersurgeon agreement in technical key points that may justify significant differences in GERD incidence after the procedure.

LAPAROSCOPIC ANTIREFLUX SURGERY: WERE OLD QUESTIONS ANSWERED? PARTIAL OR TOTAL FUNDOPLICATION?

Laparoscopic total fundoplication is currently considered the gold standard for the surgical treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Short-term outcomes after laparoscopic total fundoplication are excellent, with fast recovery and minimal perioperative morbidity. The symptom relief and reflux control are achieved in about 80 to 90% of patients 10 years after surgery. However, a small but clinically relevant incidence of postoperative dysphagia and gas-related symptoms is reported. Debate still exists about the best antireflux operation; during the last three decades, the surgical outcome of laparoscopic partial fundoplication (anterior or posterior) were compared to those achieved after a laparoscopic total fundoplication. The laparoscopic partial fundoplication, either anterior (180°) or posterior, should be performed only in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease secondary to scleroderma and impaired esophageal motility, since the laparoscopic total fundoplication would impair esophageal emptying and cause dysphagia.

Insights into the Paradox of the Weak Association Between Sleeve Gastrectomy and Barrett's Esophagus.

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is deemed a refluxogenic operation but with a low incidence of postoperative Barrett´s esophagus (BE). We aimed to shed some light on the potential paradox of the weak association between SG, BE and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). The high incidence of GERD after SG is not followed by an increased rate of BE and EAC, as these rates are similar to the general population. We hypothesized that this paradox may occur due to a difference in the gastro-esophageal reflux composition secondary to a lower content of bile, to a decrease in inflammation due to weight loss and hormonal changes, and to acquisition of healthier habits such as exercise, smoking cessation, and better eating behavior.

Esophageal high-resolution manometry demands visual interpretation in addition to mathematical software-based analysis.

PURPOSE: Esophageal high-resolution manometry (HRM) revolutionized esophageal function testing due to the intuitive colorful and agreeable-to-the-eyes plots (Clouse plots). HRM execution and interpretation is guided by the Chicago Classification. The well-established metrics for interpretation allows a reliable automatic software analysis. Analysis based on these mathematical parameters, however, ignores the valuable visual interpretation unique to human eyes and based on expertise. METHODS: We compiled some situations where visual interpretation added useful information for HRM interpretation. RESULTS: Visual interpretation may be useful in cases of hypomotility, premature waves, artifacts, segmental abnormalities of peristalsis, and extra-luminal non-contractile findings. CONCLUSION: These extra findings can be reported apart from the conventional parameters.

The Transdiaphragmatic Pressure Gradient and the Lower Esophageal Sphincter in the Pathophysiology of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: an Analysis of 500 Esophageal Function Tests.

BACKGROUND: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) pathophysiology is multifactorial. Greater importance has been attributed to a defective lower esophageal sphincter (LES) in comparison to an altered transdiaphragmatic pressure gradient (TPG). This study aims to evaluate the role of the TPG and LES disfunction in GERD pathogenesis. METHODS: Five hundred consecutive esophageal function tests from patients with clinically suspected GERD were reviewed. Patients were classified according to the pH monitoring in GERD positive or GERD negative. Abdominal pressure, thoracic pressure, TPG (abdominal-thoracic pressures), LES resting pressure (mid-respiratory, expiratory, and EGJ-CI), and LES retention pressure (LES resting pressure-TPG) were determined. RESULTS: GERD was present in 296 (59%) individuals. GERD-positive patients were mostly males. LES resting pressure (by all parameters) and thoracic pressure were not different between groups. Abdominal pressure and TPG were higher in GERD-positive patients. LES retention pressure (by all parameters) was lower in GERD-positive patients. DeMeester score had a positive correlation with LES resting pressure, TPG, and LES retention pressure (by all parameters) but not with abdominal pressure and thoracic pressure. CONCLUSIONS: LES valvular competency as measured by absolute resting pressure was not reliable to predict GERD; however, it was associated with GERD severity. Relative LES pressure (LES retention pressure) predicted GERD presence and severity, but no parameter showed superiority. TPG plays an important role in the pathophysiology of GERD since it is related to GERD presence and severity; still TPG is altered mostly based on a higher abdominal pressure.

Laparoscopic antireflux surgery: were old questions answered? partial or total fundoplication? / Cirurgia laparoscópica antirrefluxo: perguntas antigas foram respondidas? fundoplicatura parcial ou total?

ABSTRACT Laparoscopic total fundoplication is currently considered the gold standard for the surgical treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Short-term outcomes after laparoscopic total fundoplication are excellent, with fast recovery and minimal perioperative morbidity. The symptom relief and reflux control are achieved in about 80 to 90% of patients 10 years after surgery. However, a small but clinically relevant incidence of postoperative dysphagia and gas-related symptoms is reported. Debate still exists about the best antireflux operation; during the last three decades, the surgical outcome of laparoscopic partial fundoplication (anterior or posterior) were compared to those achieved after a laparoscopic total fundoplication. The laparoscopic partial fundoplication, either anterior (180°) or posterior, should be performed only in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease secondary to scleroderma and impaired esophageal motility, since the laparoscopic total fundoplication would impair esophageal emptying and cause dysphagia.

RESUMO A fundoplicatura total laparoscópica é considerada, atualmente, o padrão ouro para o tratamento cirúrgico da doença do refluxo gastroesofágico. Os resultados de curto prazo após a fundoplicatura total laparoscópica são excelentes, com recuperação rápida e morbidade perioperatória mínima. O alívio dos sintomas e o controle do refluxo são alcançados em cerca de 80 a 90% dos pacientes, 10 anos após a cirurgia. No entanto, é relatada uma incidência pequena, mas clinicamente relevante, de disfagia pós-operatória e sintomas relacionados a gases. Ainda existe debate sobre a melhor operação antirrefluxo e, nas últimas três décadas, os resultados cirúrgicos da fundoplicatura parcial laparoscópica (anterior ou posterior) foram comparados aos obtidos após uma fundoplicatura total laparoscópica. A fundoplicatura parcial laparoscópica, seja anterior (180°) ou posterior, deve ser realizada apenas em pacientes com doença do refluxo gastroesofágico secundária a esclerodermia e motilidade esofágica ineficiente, pois uma fundoplicatura total laparoscópica prejudicaria o esvaziamento esofágico e causaria disfagia.

Laparoscopic Heller Myotomy with Dor Fundoplication: An Operation that has Withstood the Test of Time.

BACKGROUND: Achalasia is a primary esophageal motility disorder characterized by aperistalsis and defective relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter in response to swallowing. Patients' symptoms include dysphagia, regurgitation, weight loss, chest pain and aspiration. The disease is idiopathic, and the goal of treatment is to eliminate the resistance determined by the abnormal lower esophageal sphincter, therefore allowing passage of the ingested food from the esophagus into the stomach. Three effective treatment modalities are available today-pneumatic dilatation, peroral endoscopic myotomy, and laparoscopic Heller myotomy with a partial fundoplication. METHODS: We described the technique to perform a laparoscopic Heller myotomy and a Dor fundoplication. RESULTS: Five steps to perform a laparoscopic Heller myotomy and a Dor fundoplication were described. CONCLUSIONS: The surgical approach is favored in many centers as it is very effective in relieving symptoms, while avoiding pathologic gastroesophageal reflux in most patients.