"The Use of Rigiflex Pneumatic Balloon Dilator during Laparoscopic Heller’s Myotomy in Patientswith Achalasia: A Novel Technical Method and Its Surgical Outcomes". Issue 11 (November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bostanci, Erdal Birol; Oter, Volkan; Karaman, Kerem
• Is Part Of: American surgeon. Volume 84:Issue 11(2018)
• Page Start: 1796
• Page End: 1800
• Publication Date: 2018-11
• Subjects: Surgery -- Periodicals; Surgery -- United States -- Periodicals; 617.0973
• DOI: 10.1177/000313481808401138
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-1348

Abstract

Pneumatic balloon dilatation (BD) and laparoscopic Heller's myotomy (LHM) are usually preferred treatment options for relieving dysphagia symptoms in achalasia. The aim of the present study was to describe a new technical method for a safe and effective LHM. Endoscopic BD tube (Rigiflex 30-mm pneumatic balloon) is simultaneously insufflated and desufflated in the esophagus during LHM to assess myotomy in 50 consecutive patients. Dysphagia symptoms were determined using Eckardt's score. Three esophageal mucosal perforations occurred during surgery, which was primary repaired. The preoperative Eckardt score improved significantly from 4.54 ± 1.85 to 0.54 ± 0.73 ( P < 0.001) at the first postoperative annual follow-up. The use of endoscopic BD tube during LHM is an easy and valuable method that allows to assess whether the dissection of muscular fibers in the myotomy area is appropriate or not.