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. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.