Heller myotomy

Heller myotomy is a surgical procedure^[1] in which the muscles of the cardia (lower oesophageal sphincter or LOS) are cut, allowing food and liquids to pass to the stomach. It is used to treat achalasia, a disorder in which the lower oesophageal sphincter fails to relax properly, making it difficult for food and liquids to reach the stomach.

History and development

It was first performed by Ernest Heller (1877 – 1964) in 1913. Then and until recently, this surgery was performed using an open procedure, either through the chest (thoracotomy) or through the abdomen (laparotomy). However, open procedures involve greater recovery times. Modern Heller myotomy is normally performed using minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques, which minimize risks and speeds recovery significantly.

Procedure

During the procedure, the patient is put under general anaesthesia. Five or six small incisions are made in the abdominal wall and laparoscopic instruments are inserted. The myotomy is a lengthwise cut along the oesophagus, starting above the LES and extending down onto the stomach a little way. The oesophagus is made of several layers, and the myotomy only cuts through the outside muscle layers which are squeezing it shut, leaving the inner mucosal layer intact. This procedure can also be performed robotically.

Risks, complications, and outlook

There is a small risk of perforation during the myotomy. A gastrografin swallow is performed after the surgery to check for leaks. If the surgeon accidentally cuts through the innermost layer of the esophagus, the perforation may need to be closed with a stitch.

Food can easily pass downward after the myotomy has cut through the lower oesophageal sphincter, but stomach acids can also easily reflux upward. Therefore, this surgery is often combined with partial fundoplication to reduce the incidence of postoperative acid reflux. In Dor or anterior fundoplication, which is the most common method, part of the stomach (the fundus) is laid over the front of the oesophagus and stitched into place so that whenever the stomach contracts, it also closes off the oesophagus instead of squeezing stomach acids into it. In Toupet or posterior fundoplication, the fundus is passed around the back of the oesophagus instead. Nissen or complete fundoplication (wrapping the fundus all the way around the oesophagus) is generally not considered advisable because peristalsis is absent in achalasia patients.

This is a somewhat challenging operation, and surgeons have reported improved outcomes after their first 50 patients. An author search at Google Scholar can be used to find studies on a surgeon's past experience with achalasia patients.

After laparoscopic surgery, most patients can take clear liquids later the same day, start a soft diet within 2–3 days, and return to a normal diet after one month. The typical hospital stay is 2–3 days, and many patients can return to work after two weeks. If the surgery is done open instead of laparoscopically, patients may need to take a month off work. Heavy lifting is typically restricted for six weeks or more.

The Heller myotomy is a long-term treatment, and many patients do not require any further treatment. However, some will eventually need pneumatic dilation, repeat myotomy (usually performed as an open procedure the second time around), or oesophagectomy. It is important to monitor changes in the shape and function of the esophagus with an annual timed barium swallow. Regular endoscopy may also be useful to monitor changes in the tissue of the oesophagus, since reflux may damage the oesophagus over time, potentially causing the return of dysphagia, or a premalignant condition known as Barrett's esophagus.

Though this surgery does not correct the underlying cause and does not completely eliminate achalasia symptoms, the vast majority of patients find that the surgery greatly improves their ability to eat and drink. It is considered the definitive treatment for achalasia.

References

↑ Richards, William O.; Torquati, Alfonso; Holzman, Michael D.; Khaitan, Leena; Byrne, Daniel; Lutfi, Rami; Sharp, Kenneth W. (2004). "Heller Myotomy Versus Heller Myotomy with Dor Fundoplication for Achalasia". Annals of Surgery. 240 (3): 405–12; discussion 412–5. doi:10.1097/01.sla.0000136940.32255.51. PMC 1356431. PMID 15319712.

External links

UpToDate Patient Information: Achalasia

Surgical procedures involving the digestive system (ICD-9-CM V3 42–54, ICD-10-PCS 0D)

Digestive tract

Upper GI tract

SGs / Esophagus	Esophagectomy Heller myotomy Sialography Impedance–pH monitoring Esophageal pH monitoring Esophageal motility study

Stomach	Bariatric surgery Adjustable gastric band Gastric bypass surgery Sleeve gastrectomy Vertical banded gastroplasty surgery Collis gastroplasty Gastrectomy Billroth I Billroth II Roux-en-Y Gastroenterostomy Gastropexy Gastrostomy Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy Hill repair Nissen fundoplication Pyloromyotomy

Medical imaging	Endoscopy: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy Barium swallow Upper gastrointestinal series

Lower GI tract

Small bowel	Bariatric surgery Duodenal switch Jejunoileal bypass Bowel resection Ileostomy Intestine transplantation Jejunostomy Partial ileal bypass surgery Strictureplasty

Large bowel	Appendicectomy Colectomy Colonic polypectomy Colostomy Hartmann's operation

Rectum	Abdominoperineal resection / Miles operation Lower anterior resection Total mesorectal excision

Anal canal	Anal sphincterotomy Anorectal manometry Lateral internal sphincterotomy Rubber band ligation Transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization

Medical imaging	Endoscopy: Colonoscopy Anoscopy Capsule endoscopy Enteroscopy Proctoscopy Sigmoidoscopy Abdominal ultrasonography Defecography Double-contrast barium enema Endoanal ultrasound Enteroclysis Lower gastrointestinal series Small-bowel follow-through Transrectal ultrasonography Virtual colonoscopy

Stool tests	Fecal fat test Fecal pH test Stool guaiac test

Accessory

Liver	Artificial extracorporeal liver support Bioartificial liver devices Liver dialysis Hepatectomy Liver biopsy Liver transplantation Portal hypertension Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt [TIPS] Distal splenorenal shunt procedure

Gallbladder, bile duct	Cholecystectomy Cholecystostomy ERCP Hepatoportoenterostomy Medical imaging: Cholangiography IV MRCP PTC Cholecystography Cholescintigraphy

Pancreas	Frey's procedure Pancreas transplantation Pancreatectomy Pancreaticoduodenectomy Puestow procedure

Abdominopelvic

Peritoneum	Diagnostic peritoneal lavage Intraperitoneal injection Laparoscopy Omentopexy Paracentesis Peritoneal dialysis

Hernia	Hernia repair: Inguinal hernia surgery Femoral hernia repair

Other

CPRs

Orthopedic surgery, operations/surgeries and other procedures on muscle/soft tissue (ICD-9-CM V3 82–84, ICD-10-PCS 0K–L)

Muscle, tendon,
fascia, and bursa

muscle:	Myotomy Heller myotomy Muscle biopsy

tendon:	Tenotomy Tendon transfer

fascia:	Fasciotomy

bursa:	Bursectomy