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Results of the laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedure for pediatric esophageal achalasia

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Abstract

Background: Esophageal achalasia is not a frequent disorder in children and different treatments have been proposed during past decades. This study reviews the results of the laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedure performed in pediatric patients in two different surgical units. Methods: We included the patients aged <14 years with a minimum follow-up of 6 months operated on in the period 1994–2001. A single longitudinal anterior esophageal myotomy (Heller) and a 180° anterior gastropexy (Dor) were laparoscopically performed. The patients were checked to detect intra- or postoperative complications and recurrence. Results: Twenty children were operated on. Mean follow-up was 45 months (range 6–102). Postoperative clinical score was Visick 1 in 15 cases and Visick 2 in five. Conclusions: As complication and recurrence rates are very low we consider modified Heller myotomy and Dor gastropexy through a laparoscopic approach our first choice to treat esophageal achalasia in the pediatric population.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Anna Capurro for her English language support. We thank Francesca Roncallo for her administrative support and data collection.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pediatric Surgery, Gaslini Research Institute, University of Genova, Largo G. Gaslini, 5, 16100 Genova, Italy

    G. Mattioli, A. Pini Prato, M. Castagnetti & V. Jasonni

  2. Pediatric Surgery, University of Catanzaro “Magna Graecia and University of Naples “Federico II,” Via Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy

    C. Esposito, P. Doldo, A. M. Staiano, A. Settimi & S. Cucchiara

  3. Pediatric Gastroenterology, Gaslini Research Institute, Largo G. Gaslini, 5, 16100 Genova, Italy

    A. Barabino & P. Gandullia

  4. Pediatric Anesthesiology, Gaslini Research Institute, Largo G. Gaslini, 5, 16100 Genova, Italy

    G. Montobbio

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  1. G. Mattioli
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  2. C. Esposito
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  3. A. Pini Prato
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  4. P. Doldo
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  5. M. Castagnetti
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  6. A. Barabino
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  9. A. Settimi
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  10. S. Cucchiara
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  11. G. Montobbio
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  12. V. Jasonni
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Correspondence to G. Mattioli.

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Mattioli, G., Esposito, C., Prato, A. et al. Results of the laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedure for pediatric esophageal achalasia . Surg Endosc 17, 1650–1652 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-002-9257-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-002-9257-0

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