Robotic Heller myotomy

Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, 2005

Minimally invasive surgery has become the gold standard for the treatment of achalasia. The incorporation of robotic technology can improve many limitations of laparoscopic surgery, through, for example, the availability of three-dimensional vision, increasing the degrees of movement, avoiding the fulcrum effect and optimizing ergonomics. The aim of this study was to compare roboticassisted laparoscopic Heller myotomy (RAHM) with laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) in terms of efficacy and safety. Thirty-one patients with diagnosis of achalasia confirmed by esophagogram and manometry were included. Dysphagia and weight loss were the main complaints in both groups. 18 patients were treated with LHM and 13 patients with RAHM. There was no difference in mean operative time (76 ± 13 vs. 79 ± 20 min; P = 0.73). Intraoperative complications were less frequent in the robotic-assisted procedures (5.5% vs. 0%); however, this was a non-significant difference. 94.5-100% of patients had relief of their symptoms. We conclude that RAHM is a safe and effective procedure. The operative time is no longer than in LHM, but it is necessary to evaluate the technique in randomized clinical trials to determine its advantages in terms of intraoperative complications.

Journal of Robotic Surgery

Minimally invasive surgery has become the gold standard for the treatment of achalasia. The incorporation of robotic technology can improve many limitations of laparoscopic surgery, through, for example, the availability of three-dimensional vision, increasing the degrees of movement, avoiding the fulcrum effect and optimizing ergonomics. The aim of this study was to compare roboticassisted laparoscopic Heller myotomy (RAHM) with laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) in terms of efficacy and safety. Thirty-one patients with diagnosis of achalasia confirmed by esophagogram and manometry were included. Dysphagia and weight loss were the main complaints in both groups. 18 patients were treated with LHM and 13 patients with RAHM. There was no difference in mean operative time (76 ± 13 vs. 79 ± 20 min; P = 0.73). Intraoperative complications were less frequent in the robotic-assisted procedures (5.5% vs. 0%); however, this was a non-significant difference. 94.5-100% of patients had relief of their symptoms. We conclude that RAHM is a safe and effective procedure. The operative time is no longer than in LHM, but it is necessary to evaluate the technique in randomized clinical trials to determine its advantages in terms of intraoperative complications.

Mini-invasive Surgery , 2020

Aim: Laparoscopic anterior esophageal myotomy with a Dor anterior fundoplication is the most commonly performed surgical myotomy procedure. A lateral esophageal myotomy without an antireflux procedure performed through a left thoracotomy has been associated with the lowest rate of postoperative gastroesophageal reflux and the highest rate for relief of dysphagia. The surgical robot allows for the lateral myotomy procedure to be performed by laparoscopy rather than thoracotomy. We studied our experience with Robotic Lateral Heller Myotomy Without Fundoplication (RLHM) for achalasia. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of the patients with achalasia who underwent RLHM. All patients completed a subjective dysphagia score questionnaire, received an Eckardt Score, and underwent manometry and pH testing preoperatively, as well as at 6 and 12 months following the myotomy procedure. Results: Forty-eight patients underwent RLHM. The median operating room time was 85 min (range 60-132 min). There was no conversion to a laparotomy. Median hospitalization was 2 days (range 2-3 days). There were no mucosal perforations, complications, or deaths. Following RLHM, the Lower Esophageal pressure decreased from 35 mmHg (range 18-120 mmHg) to 13.2 mmHg (range 9.8-16.6 mmHg) (P < 0.0001). The length of the Lower Esophageal high-pressure xone decreased from 5.5 cm (range 4-9 cm) to 2.2 cm (range 1.5-2.8 cm) (P < 0.0001). Two patients (2/48) (4.2%) had pathologic gastroesophageal reflux. The median acid exposure in all patients was 0.4% (range 0%-17.8%), and the median Demeester score was 7.5 (range 2-125). The Eckardt score decreased from 6.3 ± 1.8 to 0.8 ± 1.8 at 1 month (P < 0.0001), and 0.8 ± 1.1 at 12 months (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: RLHM is associated with excellent relief of dysphagia and a low incidence of new gastroesophageal reflux.

JSLS : Journal of the Society of Laparoscopic &amp; Robotic Surgeons

Objective: Laparoscopic Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication has become the gold standard in treating esophageal achalasia and robotic surgical platform represents its natural evolution. The objective of our study was to assess durable long-term clinical outcomes in our cohort.

Computer Assisted Surgery, 2016

Background: Achalasia is rare in children. Surgical options include open, laparoscopic and robotic approaches. However, Heller's myotomy remains the treatment of choice. This report describes our experience with robot-assisted Heller's myotomy in children and presents a review of the literature. Methods: Included in this study are children who underwent robot-assisted Heller's myotomy for esophageal achalasia via the Da Vinci surgical system between 2004 and 2015 at King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The medical records of these patients were reviewed for demographic data, presenting symptoms, diagnostic modalities, operative procedures, complications, outcomes and follow-ups. Results: Six patients were identified. The age of the patients at surgery ranged between 2 and 12 years (mean 7.1 years). The most common presenting symptoms were dysphagia, vomiting and nocturnal cough. Contrast swallow and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy established a diagnosis of esophageal achalasia in all of the patients. Four patients underwent esophageal dilatation 2-5 times before the definitive procedure. All patients underwent successful robot-assisted Heller's myotomy with concomitant partial posterior fundoplication. The postoperative course was uneventful. Five patients had a complete resolution of the symptoms and one patient improved. The follow-up assessments have been consistent and have ranged from 0.5 to 11 years (mean 4.4 years). Conclusion: Robotic-assisted Heller's myotomy for esophageal achalasia in children is safe and effective and is a suitable alternative to open and laparoscopic approaches.

Surgical Endoscopy and Other Interventional Techniques, 2006

Background Laparoscopic Heller myotomy has been proven effective. Reliable predictive factors for outcome and the true benefit of the da Vinci robotic system, however, remain unknown. Methods Seventy patients underwent laparoscopic Heller myotomy. The number of intraoperative perforations and the symptom-predictive value of postoperative esophagogram width measurement at the gastroesophageal junction were analyzed. Results The overall complication rate was 11%. Four patients experienced intraoperative perforation during the laparoscopic technique. No perforations were experienced with the da Vinci robotic system (n = 19). Of the total, 82% of patients had resolution of dysphagia, 91% of regurgitation, 91% of heartburn and 82% of chest pain. Immediate postoperative esophagogram gastroesophageal junction width demonstrated a positive predictive trend from 0 to 10 mm for dysphagia. Conclusion Laparoscopic Heller myotomy is an effective treatment for achalasia. Immediate postoperative esophagogram gastroesophageal junction width measurement as a predictor for symptom resolution requires further study.

Chest, 2010

The surgical treatment of achalasia remains controversial. Controversies include open vs. videoscopic approach, laparoscopic vs. thoracoscopic approach, and the need for an antireflux procedure. Laparoscopic Heller myotomy is hampered by the requirement of an added antireflux procedure. Thoracoscopic Heller myotomy does not require an antireflux procedure, but is associated with greater rates of residual achalasia. Robotics by virtue of 3-D visualization and greater maneuverability may facilitate thoracoscopic Heller myotomy. From 12/05 to 9/09, 18 patients underwent robot-assisted thoracoscopic esophageal myotomy for achalasia without an antireflux procedure. Diagnosis of achalasia was confirmed by radiography, endoscopy, and manometry. Patients underwent intraoperative EGD. Robot-assisted myotomy was accomplished through 4 ports in the left chest. Myotomy was extended approximately 1 cm onto the proximal stomach. Success of the myotomy was determined by intraoperative EGD, postoperative contrast radiography, subjective symptom questionnaire, and Viscik grading. RESULTS: There were 5 men and 13 women. 10/18 (55%) patients had undergone botulinum toxin injection. There were no mucosal injuries or conversion to a thoracotomy. Median hospitalization was 3 days. All patients reported improvement in dysphagia. Symptom relief was graded as: 12 Viscik I = 16 patients, Viscik II = 2 patients. 10/18 patients reported symptoms which mimicked reflux but were not associated with objective reflux. Objectively proven gastroesophageal reflux was seen in 1 patient. The surgical robot facilitates thoracoscopic Heller myotomy. Although greater experience is needed, the preliminary results of this study suggest that robot-assisted thoracoscopic Heller myotomy without an antireflux procedure may represent an excellent alternative to laparoscopic myotomy with an antireflux procedure.

Surgery, 2007

Achalasia is a primary motility disorder of the esophagus that is treated most effectively with operative myotomy. Excellent outcomes with laparoscopic myotomy and fundoplication are well known. Heller myotomy utilizing a computer-enhanced (robotic) laparoscopic platform allows for a more precise dissection by utilizing the superior optics of a 3-dimensional camera and greater degrees of freedom provided by robotic instrumentation. How this affects outcome and quality of life is unknown. Methods. We assessed patients' health perceptions using a standardized, validated, health-related, disease-specific quality-of-life metric. Sixty-one consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic or robotic myotomy over a 6-year period were evaluated prospectively. All operations were performed using intraoperative manometric and endoscopic guidance and all except 5 patients had a fundoplication. The effects of the operation on health-related quality of life were evaluated with the Short Form (SF-36) Health Status Questionnaire and a disease-specific gastroesophageal reflux disease activity (GERD) activity index (GRACI) preoperatively and postoperatively. All patients completed the questionnaire at both time points. Patient scores were compared using 2-way repeated measures analyses of variance followed by the Tukey test. Operative time, estimated blood loss, duration of stay, intraoperative complication, and postoperative complications were analyzed. Results. Thirty-seven patients had laparoscopic and 24 patients had robotic Heller myotomy. There was an increase in SF-36 overall evaluation of health postoperatively compared with preoperatively in both groups (P Ͻ .05). The robotic myotomy patients had better and General Health Perceptions (P Ͻ .05) compared with the laparoscopic group. The GRACI showed an equivalent improvement in severity of symptoms in both groups (P Ͻ .05). Operative time was 287 Ϯ 9 minutes for laparoscopic cases and 355 Ϯ 23 minutes for robotic cases. Estimated blood loss and duration of stay were not different between groups. There were 3 operative esophageal perforations (8%) during laparoscopic myotomy and all were repaired immediately. There were no perforations or operative complications in the robotic group. Neither group had any additional complications. Conclusions. Minimally invasive operative myotomy improves functional status and overall evaluation of health in patients with achalasia. Robotic myotomy had no intraoperative esophageal perforations compared with an 8% intraoperative rate during laparoscopic myotomy. Heller myotomy with partial fundoplication using a robotic platform appears to be a more precise and safer operation than laparoscopic myotomy with improved quality-of-life indices postoperatively compared with laparoscopic myotomy with fewer complications; this suggests that, in skilled hands, the robotic platform may be safer, with improved quality-of-life outcomes.

Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, 2009

Achalasia, an esophageal motility disorder characterized by aperistalsis and failure of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation, is most effectively treated by surgical ablation of the LES. In this report, we describe our technique of laparoscopic extended Heller myotomy with Toupet partial posterior fundoplication. The technical details of this procedure include careful division of the longitudinal and circular muscle fibers of the LES anteriorly, including extension of the myotomy 3 cm distal to the esophagogastric junction onto the gastric cardia. The Toupet procedure, involving a posterior wrap of the gastric fundus which is secured to both edges of the myotomy as well as to the crura of the hiatus, is added to prevent post-myotomy gastroesophageal reflux. From a recently published report, mean dysphagia scores remained low (3 out of 10 severity on a visual analog scale) and symptoms of reflux were reported minimally in a series of 63 patients followed for a median of 45 months. This technique provides excellent and durable relief of dysphagia associated with achalasia while minimizing post-myotomy acid reflux symptoms.

Middle East Journal of Digestive Diseases, 2019

BACKGROUND Achalasia is the most well known esophageal motility disorder. Laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) is the most effective treatment for achalasia. The aim of this study was to review our results on LHM for achalasia. METHODS In this cross-sectional study all patients undergoing LHM between 2015 and 2017 were studied. The myotomy was followed by an anterior or posterior partial fundoplication. All patients were followed up for at least six months. RESULTS We conducted this prospective study on 36 consecutive patients who underwent LHM over 3 years. The mean age of the patients was 36.64 ± 13.47 years. 30 patients (83.3%) underwent Toupet and 6 patients (16.7%) received Dor fundoplication. 11 patients (30.6%) developed reflux after the procedure. According to the Eckardt Symptom Scoring (ESS), the symptoms improved in 74.2% of the patients and remained unchanged in 25.8% of the patients. Analysis of the ESS, indicated a significant change in regurgitation and retrosternal pain...