Endoskopie 2009; 18(2): 72-76

Oesophageal achalasia from a surgeon’s viewpoint

MUDr. René Aujeský CSc, doc. MUDr. Čestmír Neoral, CSc, prof. MUDr. Vladimír Král, CSc, prof. MUDr. Michal Dlouhý, CSc, MUDr. Radek Vrba, Ph.D, MUDr. Katherine Vomáčková

I. chirurgická klinika LF UP a FN Olomouc

The therapeutic principle of achalasia has not been changed in the past decades. It consists in regulating spasms of the lower esophageal

sphincter. The most common non-surgical method is pneumatic dilation, whose effect is more long-term than the alternative- botulotoxin

sclerotherapy. The most frequent surgical procedure for esophageal achalasia is esophagocardiomyotomy. In the past twenty years, this

method has been performed videolaparoscopically, which is basically the only significant, albeit substantial, change to this method,

which was introduced almost a century ago. The mini-invasive approach provides comfort not only for the patient but also for the surgeon,

since it allows a more precise performance due to an excellent view in an otherwise difficultly accessible area of the esophageal

hiatus of the diaphragm. Laparoscopic esophagocardiomyotomy in combination with partial fundoplication is considered the most

effective therapy for esophageal achalasia.

Keywords: esophageal achalasia, esophagocardiomyotomy, videolaparoscopy, fundoplication.

Published: September 1, 2009  Show citation