The SAGES MASTERS Program: top 10 seminal articles for Heller myotomy and treatment of achalasia.

BACKGROUND

The Foregut Surgery Pathway of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) Masters Program focuses on four anchoring procedures, which include laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication, laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair, laparoscopic Heller myotomy, and revisional foregut surgery. In this manuscript, we present and discuss the top 10 seminal articles related to a Heller myotomy and treatment of achalasia. Heller myotomy represents "mastery" level for foregut operations.

METHODS

The literature was systematically searched to identify the most cited and pertinent articles on achalasia and Heller Myotomy. Members of the SAGES Foregut committee reviewed these articles and using a Delphi method elected the seminal articles deemed most pertinent to a Heller Myotomy. These articles were reviewed in detail by committee members and are presented here.

RESULTS

These top 10 seminal articles on Heller myotomy focus on diagnosis, therapeutic options, outcomes, adverse effects, and their management. A summary of each paper is presented, including expert appraisal and commentary.

CONCLUSIONS

The top 10 articles presented here emphasize Heller myotomy as a core foregut operation. These articles highlight this operation an effective therapeutic option for achalasia that provides relief of dysphagia with decreased risk of post-operative gastroesophageal reflux.