Incorporation of a flap-valve at cardia, with esophagocardiomyotomy, for achalasia of the esophagus.

A lateral esophagocardiomyotomy extending from the level of inferior pulmonary vein to 3 cm on to the fundus of stomach for achalasia of esophagus was combined with a flap-valve constructed at the gastroesophageal junction. A total of 69 consecutive patients of achalasia cardia were subjected to this procedure between 1980 and 1994. There was no mortality. In a follow-up of up to 14 years, 73.9% patients had excellent results and 26.1% had good results. Recurrence of dysphagia and hiatus hernia were not detected and clinical, radiological and endoscopic studies did not show evidence of any significant gastroesophageal reflux.