BACKGROUND: Extramucosal myotomy of the lower esophagus and @entity418 , combined with anterior fundoplication, is, in our opinion, the procedure of choice to treat stage I-III @entity1318 . METHODS: After a successful experience with open surgery in over 280 @entity1 , from January 1992 through February 1997, 61 @entity1 underwent laparoscopic Heller-Dor for stage I-III @entity1318 . Conversion to laparotomy was done in three cases. All procedures were performed under intraoperative endoscopic control. @entity3816 were seven mucosal tears, which were sutured laparoscopically in five cases. The sole postoperative complication was @entity548 from an @entity2275 (conservative treatment). RESULTS: Follow-up consisted of clinical and radiographic study 1 month after surgery, and endoscopy and manometry within 1 year. After a mean follow-up (F.U.) of 21 months (1-62), clinical results range from excellent to good in 98.2%. One @entity1 (1.7%) complaining of recurrent @entity1282 improved after endoscopic dilation. Esophageal diameter reduced from 52 to 27 mm. LES pressure reduced from 30.3 +/- 12.4 to 10.7 +/- 3.5 mmHg (basal) and from 14. 8 +/- 9.3 to 2.9 +/- 2.1 mmHg (residual). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic Heller-Dor operation is feasible, safe, and effective. Special care should be taken in @entity1 with previous endoscopic dilations.

Evaluating results of laparoscopic surgery for XXXX .

@entity1318 :: ('MESH:D004931', 'Disease') :: ['achalasia', 'esophageal achalasia'] @entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients', 'patient'] @entity2275 :: ('MESH:D013276', 'Disease') :: ['acute gastric ulcer'] @entity548 :: ('MESH:D006470', 'Disease') :: ['bleeding'] @entity418 :: ('MESH:D004938', 'Disease') :: ['cardia'] @entity1282 :: ('MESH:D003680', 'Disease') :: ['dysphagia'] @entity3816 :: ('MESH:D007431', 'Disease') :: ['Intraoperative complications']
@entity1318 :: (MESH:D004931,Disease) :: ['esophageal achalasia']
