Long-term symptom relief and patient satisfaction after Heller myotomy and Toupet fundoplication for achalasia.

BACKGROUND

The goal of this study was to review the results, symptom relief, and patient satisfaction after laparoscopic Heller myotomy and Toupet fundoplication.

METHODS

A cohort of patients who underwent laparoscopic esophagomyotomy and a Toupet fundoplication was identified. A retrospective chart review was conducted and patients then were interviewed by telephone using a modified 5-point Likert scale.

RESULTS

Long-term follow-up data were obtained for 51 patients with a mean of 5.9 years. Thirty-two (63%) patients reported infrequent or no dysphagia. Chest pain, heartburn, or regurgitation were reported in 6 of 51 (12%) patients, 14 of 51 (27%) patients, and 11 of 51 (22%) patients, respectively. Two patients (3.9%) had pneumatic dilation and 1 patient underwent completion esophagectomy (1.9%). Thirty-three (33 of 51; 65%) patients were on acid-suppression therapy. Forty-one (80%) patients reported their overall satisfaction with the procedure was either excellent or good, and 46 of 51 (90%) patients stated they would undergo surgery again.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data show acceptable long-term results.