BACKGROUND: @entity1318 can be effectively treated by either @entity384 or transthoracic modified Heller myotomy. The purpose of this study was to determine whether thoracoscopic methods could be used to achieve surgical results equal to the transthoracic approach with @entity158 . METHODS: Twenty-one @entity1 (10 @entity1 , 11 @entity1 ; median age 42 years) had the diagnosis of @entity1318 confirmed by manometry, radiography, and endoscopy. All had @entity1282 ; five had weight loss. Median duration of symptoms was 12 months (range: 1 to 360 months). Eleven @entity1 had undergone previous unsuccessful hydrostatic dilatation. Mean esophageal diameter was 5.5 +/- 2.2 cm. RESULTS: All @entity1 underwent attempted modified Heller myotomy through a left thoracoscopic approach. Three @entity1 required conversion to thoracotomy. The myotomy was extended < 1 cm past the squamocolumnar junction. There was one intraoperative perforation and no @entity260 . All @entity1 were begun on a regular diet on the first postoperative morning. Median length of stay was 2 days, Median follow-up was 22 months (range: 1 to 52 months). Sixteen @entity1 (80%) had excellent relief of their @entity1282 . Two @entity1 (10%) had good relief, and two @entity1 had only a fair result, although even they claim to be much improved. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracoscopic Heller myotomy reproduces the superior results of open esophagomyotomy with a reduced hospitalization and reduced incisional @entity158 and disability.

Thoracoscopic esophagomyotomy for @entity1318 : maximum gain, minimal XXXX .

@entity1318 :: ('MESH:D004931', 'Disease') :: ['achalasia', 'Achalasia'] @entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['women', 'patients', 'men'] @entity384 :: ('MESH:D002311', 'Disease') :: ['hydrostatic balloon dilatation'] @entity260 :: ('MESH:D011183', 'Disease') :: ['postoperative complications'] @entity1282 :: ('MESH:D003680', 'Disease') :: ['dysphagia'] @entity158 :: ('MESH:D010146', 'Disease') :: ['less pain', 'pain']
@entity158 :: (MESH:D010146,Disease) :: ['pain']
