Cardiaplasty and Roux-en-Y partial gastrectomy (Serra-Dória procedure) for reoperation of achalasia

Serra doria procedure as an alternative treatment for end stage achalasia. A case report

The standard of care for achalasia is laparoscopic Heller's cardiomyotomy. This procedure achieves satisfactory and long-standing results in over 85 % of patients. However, disease progression occurs in some patients leading to end-stage achalasia, occasionally requiring oesophagectomy. In a recent systematic review and meta-analysis of 1307 patients who underwent oesophagectomy for end-stage achalasia, the pooled prevalence of pneumonia, anastomotic leakage and mortality were 10 %, 7 % and 2 %, respectively. We present a Serra Doria procedure as an alternative 'esophagus-preserving' procedure in a 58-year-old female patient with end-stage achalasia. This advancement highlights the crucial role of personalized care and the ongoing research necessary to enhance outcomes for those suffering from this challenging condition.

Per-Oral Plication of (Neo)Esophagus: Technical Feasibility and Early Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is an example of endoscopic sutured plications being used to remodel a gastrointestinal organ. With per-oral plication of the esophagus (POPE), similar plications are used to remodel the dilated and redundant megaesophagus of end-stage achalasia. Redundancies and dilations can also develop in the neoesophagus of a patient with prior esophagectomy. Megaesophagus and a redundant neoesophagus can both lead to debilitating dysphagia, regurgitation, and recurrent aspiration pneumonia. Traditionally, this anatomic problem requires complex revisional or excisional surgery, to which POPE offers an incisionless alternative.

METHODS

This is a dynamic manuscript with video demonstration of POPE, as well as review of five cases performed in 1 year. Data were collected in a prospectively maintained database, and the institutional review board approved retrospective review for this publication. The procedure is performed using a dual-channel upper endoscope fixed with an endoscopic suturing device, with the patient supine under general anesthesia.

RESULTS

POPE was technically completed in all cases with no serious complications, and patients either went home the same day or spent one night for observation. Most patients reported immediate and substantial symptomatic improvement. Objective pre- and post-measures include esophagram and nuclear gastric emptying studies.

CONCLUSION

This article discusses early experience at one institution with POPE, with detailed description of the procedure and technical considerations. An accompanying video reviews two cases, one with megaesophagus and one with a gastric conduit. While this novel procedure has limited and rare indications, it offers a low-morbidity solution to a challenging anatomic problem that traditionally requires invasive surgery.

Management of Esophageal Dysphagia in Chagas Disease

Chagas disease, caused by the infection of the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, has clinical consequences in the heart and digestive tract. The most important changes in the digestive tract occur in the esophagus (megaesophagus) and colon (megacolon). Esophageal dysfunction in Chagas disease results from damage of the esophageal myenteric plexus, with loss of esophageal peristalsis, partial or absent lower esophageal sphincter relaxation, and megaesophagus, which characterizes secondary esophageal achalasia. The treatment options for the disease are similar to those for idiopathic achalasia, consisting of diet and behavior changes, drugs, botulinum toxin, peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM), pneumatic dilation of the lower esophageal sphincter, laparoscopic Heller myotomy, and esophagectomy. Chagas disease causes a life-threatening cardiopathy, and this should be considered when choosing the most appropriate treatment for the disease. While some options are palliative, for temporary relief of dysphagia (such as drugs, botulinum toxin, and pneumatic dilation), other therapies provide a long-term benefit. In this case, POEM stands out as a modern and successful strategy, with good results in more than 90% of the patients. Esophagectomy is the option in Chagas disease patients with advanced megaesophagus, despite the increased risk of complications. In these cases, peroral endoscopic myotomy may be an option, which needs further evaluation.

Laparoscopic hand-sewn cardioplasty: an alternative procedure for end-stage achalasia

BACKGROUND

Primary achalasia is a rare oesophageal motor disorder characterized by the absence of swallow-induced relaxation of the lower oesophageal sphincter and diminished or absent oesophageal body peristalsis. Around 5% of these patients will develop end-stage achalasia, where oesophagectomy may be advocated. We present the laparoscopic hand-sewn cardioplasty as an alternative 'oesophagus-preserving' procedure in patients with end-stage achalasia.

METHODS

We present a retrospective review of four patients who underwent laparoscopic hand-sewn cardioplasty. Data collected included pre-operative demographic information and investigations; and post-operative outcomes. Patients were scored pre- and post-operatively using Reflux Symptom Index, Eating Assessment Tool-10 and Voice Handicap Index-10 questionnaires.

RESULTS

Four patients underwent laparoscopic hand-sewn cardioplasty during the study period. In one patient, it was performed as a rescue procedure during attempted myotomy following multiple perforations of friable mucosa. In the other three patients, laparoscopic hand-sewn cardioplasty was performed for end-stage achalasia. None of the patients had post-operative complications and all patients were discharged on the second post-operative day. All patients experienced improvement in swallowing symptoms (EAT-10; p = 0.03) but developed post-operative gastroesophageal reflux.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this is the first published case series of laparoscopic hand-sewn cardioplasty for end-stage achalasia. It appears to be a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of end-stage achalasia, offering an alternative minimally invasive procedure to oesophagectomy. Laparoscopic hand-sewn cardioplasty can also be used as a 'rescue' procedure during myotomy in patients who have poor-quality mucosa which perforates intra-operatively or is at high risk of perforation/leaking post-operatively.

Surgical treatment of relapsed megaesophagus

OBJECTIVE

to analyze the surgical treatment of patients with recurrent megaesophagus followed at the esophageal-stomach-duodenal outpatient clinic of the Hospital de Clínicas - UNICAMP.

METHODS

a retrospective study, from 2011 to 2017, with 26 patients with Chagas or idiopathic megaesophagus, surgically treated, and who recurred with dysphagia. Clinical, endoscopic and radiographic aspects were assessed and correlated with the performed surgical procedures.

RESULTS

50% had dysphagia for liquids, 69% regurgitation, 65.3% heartburn, 69.2% weight loss and 69.2% had Chagas disease. In addition, 38.4% had megaesophagus stage 1 and 2 and 61.5% stage 3 and 4. Regarding the reoperations, 53% of them underwent Heller-Pinotti surgery by laparoscopy, Serra-Dória in 30.7% and esophageal mucosectomy in 7.9%. In 72% of the reoperations there were no postoperative complications, and 80% of the patients had a good outcome, with reduction or elimination of dysphagia. Among the reoperated patients undergoing the laparoscopic Heller-Pinotti technique, three reported little improvement of dysphagia in the postoperative period and among those who underwent Serra-Dória surgery, 100% had no dysphagia. It was observed that, when the time between the first procedure and the reoperation was longer, the better the surgical result was, with statistical significant decreased dysphagia (p=0.0013, p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

there was a preference to perform laparoscopic re-miotomy and, as a second option, Serra-Dória surgery, for patients with recurrent megaesophagus. Esophagectomy or esophageal mucosectomy were reserved for more severe patients.

Resection of the Gastroesophageal Junction and Roux-en-Y Reconstruction as a New Alternative for the Treatment of Recurrent Achalasia: Outcomes in a Short Series of Patients

Background: Heller myotomy and laparoscopic fundoplication represents the best treatment option for esophageal achalasia, with effective short- and long-term success. However, treatment options in patients in whom primary surgery failed represent a real challenge. We present the resection of the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) along with a Roux-en-Y reconstruction as a treatment alternative. Materials and Methods: We analyzed the course of 5 patients with achalasia undergoing the resection of the GEJ along with a Roux-en-Y reconstruction for recurrent dysphagia after Heller myotomy and fundoplication, with at least 1 year of follow-up. Symptoms questionnaire and minuted esophagogram before and after treatment were performed in all the patients. Results: Five patients underwent resection of the GEJ along with a Roux-en-Y reconstruction. All the patients had dysphagia and 60% had regurgitations. Eighty percent of the patients had more than one previous redo surgery and 100% had had multiple dilations. Preoperative contrast esophagram of 3 patients show Stage II disease (mild and mark dilated esophagus) and 2 patients with Stage III disease (one esophageal curve and severe dilation). Manometry confirmed the diagnosis. At a mean follow-up of 34 months, all the patients reported a marked improvement in dysphagia, with median overall satisfaction rating of 9 (range 7-10), no symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and good esophageal emptying in the postoperative contrast esophagram. Conclusions: The resection of the GEJ and Roux-en-Y reconstruction is an excellent treatment for recurrent dysphagia after Heller myotomy. All the patients reported a marked improvement of their dysphagia. No symptoms of GERD were documented after the surgery. This procedure should be taken into account as an alternative to esophagectomy for recurrent dysphagia.

The 2018 ISDE achalasia guidelines

Achalasia is a relatively rare primary motor esophageal disorder, characterized by absence of relaxations of the lower esophageal sphincter and of peristalsis along the esophageal body. As a result, patients typically present with dysphagia, regurgitation and occasionally chest pain, pulmonary complication and malnutrition. New diagnostic methodologies and therapeutic techniques have been recently added to the armamentarium for treating achalasia. With the aim to offer clinicians and patients an up-to-date framework for making informed decisions on the management of this disease, the International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus Guidelines proposed and endorsed the Esophageal Achalasia Guidelines (I-GOAL). The guidelines were prepared according the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE-REX) tool, accredited for guideline production by NICE UK. A systematic literature search was performed and the quality of evidence and the strength of recommendations were graded according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). Given the relative rarity of this disease and the paucity of high-level evidence in the literature, this process was integrated with a three-step process of anonymous voting on each statement (DELPHI). Only statements with an approval rate >80% were accepted in the guidelines. Fifty-one experts from 11 countries and 3 representatives from patient support associations participated to the preparations of the guidelines. These guidelines deal specifically with the following achalasia issues: Diagnostic workup, Definition of the disease, Severity of presentation, Medical treatment, Botulinum Toxin injection, Pneumatic dilatation, POEM, Other endoscopic treatments, Laparoscopic myotomy, Definition of recurrence, Follow up and risk of cancer, Management of end stage achalasia, Treatment options for failure, Achalasia in children, Achalasia secondary to Chagas' disease.

An Update on Current Management Strategies for Achalasia and Future Perspectives

The last decade has seen growing insight into the pathophysiology of achalasia, and current treatments decreasing the resting pressure in the lower esophageal sphincter by endoscopic (botulinum toxin injection, pneumatic dilation, peroral endoscopic myotomy) or surgical means (Heller myotomy). Manometry is considered the gold standard to confirm the diagnosis of achalasia. Pneumatic dilation and laparoscopic Heller myotomy have similar effectiveness and are both more successful in patients with type II achalasia. Laparoscopic myotomy when combined with partial fundoplication is an effective surgical technique and has been considered the operative procedure of choice until recently. Peroral endoscopic myotomy is an emerging therapy with promising results since it offers a minimally invasive and efficacious option especially in type III achalasia. However, it remains to be determined if peroral endoscopic myotomy offers long-term efficacy.

Pioneer Robotic Serra-Doria Operation for Recurrent Achalasia After Heller's Cardiomyotomy: A "New Quondam" Procedure

INTRODUCTION

Recurrence of achalasia may occur in 10%-20% of cases operated by Heller's cardiomyotomy. Most of these patients will require further surgery to relieve symptoms. Major technical difficulties can be found in these reoperations.

CASE REPORT

A 50-year-old female patient with relapsed idiopathic achalasia after Heller's technique was treated with an unusual procedure, for the first time in the literature, by minimally invasive access with robotic assistance.

CONCLUSIONS

The Serra-Doria operation allows preserving the esophagus and alleviating dysphagic symptoms with low rates of postoperative complications. The use of robotic technology is perfectly feasible and allows minimally invasive access in complex cases and reoperations.

Esophageal mucosal resection versus esophagectomy: a comparative study of surgical results in patients with advanced megaesophagus

BACKGROUND

The surgical treatment of advanced megaesophagus has no consensus, being esophagectomy the more commonly used method. Since it has high morbimortality--inconvenient for benign disease -, in recent years an alternative has been introduced: the esophageal mucosal resection.

AIM

To compare early and late results of the two techniques evaluating the operative time, length of ICU stay; postoperative hospitalization; total hospitalization; intra- and postoperative complication rates; mortality; and long-term results.

METHODS

Were evaluated retrospectively 40 charts, 23 esophagectomies and 17 mucosectomies. In assessing postoperative results, interviews were conducted by using a specific questionnaire.

RESULTS

Comparing the means of esophagectomy and mucosal resection, respectively, the data were: 1) surgical time--310.2 min and 279.7 min (p > 0.05); 2) length of stay in ICU--5 days and 2.53 days (p <0.05); 3) total time of hospitalization--24.25 days and 20.76 days (p> 0.05); 4) length of hospital stay after surgery--19.05 days and 14.94 days (p> 0.05); 5) presence of intraoperative complications--65% and 18% (p <0.05); 6) the presence of postoperative complications - 65% and 35% (p> 0.05). In the assessment of late postoperative score (range 0-10) esophagectomy (n = 5) obtained 8.8 points and 8.8 points also got mucosal resection (n = 5).

CONCLUSIONS

Esophageal mucosal resection proved to be good alternative for surgical treatment of megaesophagus. It was advantageous in the immediate postoperative period by presenting a lower average time in operation, the total hospitalization, ICU staying and complications rate. In the late postoperative period, the result was excellent and good in both operations.

Esophagocardioplasty as surgical treatment in relapsed non advanced megaesophagus

BACKGROUND

It has always been very controversial to choose an ideal operation for patients with no advanced recurrent megaesophagus after previous treatment. The various existing techniques and the different degrees of disease are the major factors to this difficulty.

AIM

To evaluate the early and late results of the Serra-Doria esophagocardioplasty in patients who had recurrence of symptoms in non-advanced megaesophagus after having been submitted to cardiomyotomy.

METHODS

Were studied 32 patients. The age ranged from 32 to 63 years. Nineteen had mild and 13 moderate dysphagia, and 14 had some degree of regurgitation. These subjects underwent the Serra-Doria esophagocardioplasty and were evaluated the local and systemic complications occurred postoperatively.

RESULTS

After the procedure could be followed 27 patients, 22 began to show normal swallowing, five mild dysphagia and three remained with some regurgitation. No patient died. Three had early pneumonia and in one occurred anastomotic leak.

CONCLUSIONS

The Serra-Doria esophagocardioplasty is adequate procedure for the surgical treatment of relapsed non advanced megaesophagus.

Laparoscopic stapled cardioplasty for failed treatment of achalasia

Background

Treatment of primary achalasia includes injection of botulinum toxin, pneumatic dilatation or surgical myotomy. All of these procedures have an associated failure rate. Laparoscopic stapled cardioplasty (LSC) may be an alternative to failed pneumatic dilatation and laparoscopic Heller's myotomy where oesophagectomy has previously been the only surgical option.

Methods

Selected patients with recurrent achalasia following multiple failed medical treatments, including myotomies, were managed by LSC. Patients had postoperative contrast swallows before discharge with clinical follow-up.

Results

All seven patients treated with LSC were discharged within 5 days. Rapid oesophageal emptying was noted on all post-LSC contrast swallows. No patient had an anastomotic leak. After 1 year, all but one patient was free from dysphagia, all had gained weight, and four patients had heartburn controlled by a proton pump inhibitor.

Conclusion

LSC may be a useful procedure for resistant achalasia.

Cardiovascular complications in patients with megaesophagus due to Chagas disease undergoing the Serra-Dória operation

The Serra-Dória procedure has been used in the treatment of advanced or relapsed megaesophagus due to Chagas disease. Little is known, however, about cardiovascular complications following this procedure. The purpose of this study was to settle independent predictors of cardiovascular complications following the Serra-Dória procedure in patients with megaesophagus secondary to chronic Chagas disease. A total of 76 patients who underwent the Serra-Dória operation for Chagas disease megaesophagus from 1998 to 2010 were included. A multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of cardiovascular complications. Mean age was 61±10 years; 55% were male. Advanced megaesophagus (grades III/IV) were found in 65 (86%) of patients. Twenty-two (29%) patients had one comorbidity, and five (7%) three co-morbidities before operation. Two (3%) patients died following the operation. Twenty-nine (38%) patients presented cardiovascular complication following the Serra-Dória procedure; 15 (44%) were mild, 7 (21%) moderate, and 12 (35%) severe. Age>61 years was the only independent predictor of cardiovascular complication following Serra-Dória procedure. In patients with megaesophagus secondary to chronic Chagas disease, the Serra-Dória procedure is associated with a low mortality rate and a high frequency of cardiac complication.

Nursing diagnoses of patients in the preoperative period of esophageal surgery

This study aimed to identify and analyze the nursing diagnoses of patients in the preoperative period of esophageal surgeries. Data were collected by means of an instrument, based on Horta's Conceptual Model. The study group consisted of 20 patients hospitalized at the Ribeirão Preto Medical School Hospital das Clínicas, who would undergo esophageal surgery. The patients were submitted to an interview and a physical examination. The nursing diagnoses identified at frequencies of more than 50% were: impaired swallowing (100%); risk for infection (100%); knowledge deficit about disease and perioperative period (95%), and chronic pain (75%). These diagnoses were analyzed in view of the related factors, defining characteristics or risk factors, according to the type of diagnosis and the responses to the esophageal disease.

Qualidade de vida após a cardiomiotomia à Heller-Dor

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar os resultados da cardiomiotomia de Heller associada à fundoplicatura de Dor por Laparoscopia (HDL) no tratamento cirúrgico da acalásia do esôfago, através de escores de qualidade de vida e dados da esofagomanometria. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados retrospectivamente 60 pacientes operados por acalasia do cárdia, de 2001 a 2007, sendo analisadas no pré-operatório as características desta população e os resultados das provas diagnósticas. Aplicamos um escore de disfagia e de qualidade de vida no pré e pós-operatório e realizamos o estudo do comportamento da pressão do esfíncter esofageano inferior (Peei) no pré e pós operatório de todos os pacientes. RESULTADOS: Eram 37 do sexo feminino e 23 do masculino. A idade média foi 41,08 anos(12 a 87). Não houve mortalidade cirúrgica, nem conversões. Tempo médio de início da dieta foi de 1,6 dias. Considerado resultado excelente em 80% da série, resultados intermediários em 20%. A média do escore de disfagia no pré operatório foi de 9,03 pontos e a média de pós, foi de 1,7 pontos (máximo de 10 pontos), p=0,0001, sendo observada queda entre pré e pós-operatório de 7,33 pontos, 81,17%. A média da Peei no pré-operatório foi de 32,41 mmhg e no pós 12,7 mmhg. CONCLUSÃO: A cirurgia HDL é procedimento seguro de ser realizado e apresentou bons resultados, sendo capaz de modificar os escores de qualidade de vida subjetivos, e os dados objetivos da Peei, de forma significativa.

Recurrent achalasia treated with Heller myotomy: A review of the literature

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Heller myotomy (HM) for recurrent achalasia, performed after different methods of first-line treatment.

METHODS: We searched for studies published in PubMed from 1966 to March 2008 on treatment of recurrent achalasia with HM after failure with different methods of first-line treatment. The efficacy of HM was assessed by a pooled estimate of response rate with individual studies weighted proportionally to sample size.

RESULTS: Sixteen studies were eligible and included in the review. The results showed that HM has a better remission rate for recurrent achalasia after failure of HM [weighted mean (SD)] of 86.9% (21.8%) compared with 81.6% (23.8%) for pneumatic dilatation (PD). One study evaluated the efficacy of HM after failure of PD combined with botulinum toxin injection (83%). The most common complications were perforation and gastroesophageal reflux.

CONCLUSION: HM has the best efficacy in patients with recurrent achalasia who were treated with HM as first-line treatment. Future studies should focus on how to increase the success rate and decrease the complications of HM.

Treatment of achalasia: lessons learned with Chagas' disease

Chagas' disease (CD) is highly prevalent in South America. Brazilian surgeons and gastroenterologists gained valuable experience in the treatment of CD esophagopathy (chagasic achalasia) due to the high number of cases treated. The authors reviewed the lessons learned with the treatment of achalasia by different centers experienced in the treatment of Chagas' disease. Preoperative evaluation, endoscopic treatment (forceful dilatation and botulinum toxin injection), Heller's myotomy, esophagectomy, conservative techniques other than myotomy, and reoperations are discussed in the light of personal experiences and review of International and Brazilian literature. Aspects not frequently adopted by North American and European surgeons are emphasized. The review shows that nonadvanced achalasia is frequently treated by Heller's myotomy. Endoscopic treatment is reserved to limited cases. Treatment for end-stage achalasia is not unanimous. Esophagectomy was a popular treatment in advanced disease; however, the morbidity/mortality associated to the procedure made some authors seek different alternatives, such as Heller's myotomy and cardioplasties. Minimally invasive approach to esophageal resection may change this concept, although few centers perform the procedure routinely.

Tratamento cirúrgico do megaesôfago recidivado

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os resultados do tratamento cirúrgico em uma série de pacientes submetidos ao tratamento prévio para megaesôfago que evoluíram com recidiva de sintomas. MÉTODO: Analisou-se os resultados das diversas técnicas operatórias realizadas em 47 pacientes pelo Serviços de Cirurgia Geral e Torácica do HMCP-PUC-Campinas. A morbidade pós-cirúrgica, mortalidade, o alívio ou nova recidiva de sintomas e o tempo de seguimento foram os principais indicadores. Dividiu-se a série em três grupos, de acordo com o grau da afecção: Incipiente (nove casos), Não-avançado (18 casos) e avançado (20 casos). As técnicas operatórias utilizadas foram: à cardiomiectomia com fundoplicatura anterior, esofagocardioplastia à Tahl, esofagocardioplastia à Serra-Dória, Esofagectomia Subtotal e Mucosectomia com conservação da túnica muscular esofágica. RESULTADOS: Obteve-se índices de resolutividade satisfatórios com a técnica de cardiomiectomia com fundoplicatura para o megaesôfago Incipiente, com baixa morbidade. Nos megaesôfago não-avançado, as cardiopatias, em especial a esofagocardioplastia à Serra-Dória mostram se mais adequadas. A terapêutica do megaesôfago avançado apresentou as maiores taxas de morbidade e demonstrou superioridade das técnicas mais agressivas em relação às técnicas conservadoras, em especial a mucosectomia com preservação da túnica muscular, sendo esta a técnica com menor morbidade dentro do grupo avançado. CONCLUSÃO: A difícil padronização do tratamento cirúrgico do megaesôfago recidivado deve-se às inúmeras técnicas disponíveis, às habilidades pessoais dos cirurgiões e atenta para a criação de protocolos terapêuticos.

Esophagogastro-Roux-en-Y Jejunostomy: A Surgical Option in Recurrent Achalasia? Case Report and Review of the Literature

Recurrent obstructive symptoms after cardiomyotomy for achalasia occur in approximately 10 per cent to 15 per cent of patients, but only some require reoperation. Reoperative procedures for achalasia vary, and in general, have less success in relieving symptoms than the initial procedure. We present the case of a 37-year-old male with a 15-year history of recurrent achalasia, with symptoms of heartburn and progressive dysphagia after meals. He underwent several esophageal dilatations, botox injections, and two transthoracic Heller myotomies before the transabdominal esophagogastro-Roux-en-Y jejunostomy was performed. This case represents another surgical option for management of the challenging problem of recurrent achalasia.