Background Though nitrates have been used in achalasia for a long time, the effectiveness of nitrates for achalasia is still controversial. Objectives To quantify short-term and long-term effects of nitrate therapy in patients with achalasia. Search strategy Trials were identified by searching the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (Issue 4, 2001), MEDLINE (1966-2001), EMBASE (1980-2001), LILACS-Latin American and Caribbean health science literature (1982-2001) and CBM-Chinese Biomedical Database (1980-2000). Additionally, all references in the identified trials were checked for further relevant trials. Selection criteria All randomised controlled trials involving achalasia patients given any type of nitrates were included. Data collection amp; analysis Data were extracted By two independent observers based on the intention-to-treat principle. Odds ratios for the patients need to treat by invasive procedures, improvement of symptoms, LES pressure decrease, oesophageal emptying, and side effects were calculated. Numbers needed to treat (NNT) for avoiding invasive procedure, improvement of symptoms, oesophageal emptying, and numbers needed to harm (NNH) of side effects were also determined. Main results Two randomised cross-over studies were found, But no results are included. Due to the design of the studies and the method of reporting the results in the original paper it was not possible to extract the necessary information to examine any of the outcomes. Authors have been contacted to obtain this information. Reviewers’ conclusion We can conclude no implications for practice at this stage. Much more RCT data are needed to determine the effects of nitrates.
目的探讨腹腔镜微创手术治疗贲门失弛缓症的应用价值。 方法2007年11月至2009年12月期间，中国医科大学附属盛京医院微创外科对5例贲门失弛缓症患者实施腹腔镜改良Heller手术并胃底折叠术。 结果手术过程顺利，手术时间120～165 min，平均139 min； 术中失血50～200 ml，平均88 ml； 术后第1天进食，吞咽困难症状消失，无手术相关并发症。 5例患者均痊愈出院。术后随访8～31个月，平均19个月，无症状复发或出现返流症状。 结论腹腔镜手术治疗贲门失弛缓症安全、效果良好，值得进一步推广。
Mini-invasive video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has been employed in diagnosis and treatment of esophageal diseases for about 10 years. The potential advantages of VATS over thoracotomy are reduction of chest pain just after the operation and in the long run, lower incidence of postoperative respiratory complications, and reduction of aesthetic sequelae. Thoracoscopic staging of esophageal cancer is to evaluate the invasion and metastasis of cancer, which is helpful for better selection of patients for appropriate treatment .Operation of esophageal cancer with VATS is prescribed mainly in the early stage of carcinoma, but it’s application is restricted due to the multiple sites of operation and complexity of procedures. VATS for benign esophageal diseases such as esophageal leiomyoma and achalasia is becoming the preferable choice of operation in qualified medical centers.
Objective To review the clinical experience of Heller myotomy for treatment of achalasia through a small thoracotomy. Methods Twenty-five patients with achalasia (9 moderate, 16 severe) underwent Heller myotomy without concomitant antireflux procedure through a small incision. A left thoracotomy was carried out through either the seventh or eighth intercostals space. The length of skin incision was 6 to 8 cm. Results There was no hospital death and severe postoperative complications. The mean operating time was 50 minutes. Mean hospital stay was 10 days. There was one intraoperative perforation and repaired successfully. All patients reported good to excellent relief of dysphagia and no symptom of gastroesophageal reflux after surgery. Eight patients were subsequently studied with a 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring and no evidence of pathologic reflux found. Conclusions Transthoracic Heller myotomy with a small incision is effective and safe method for treatment of achalasia with minimal invasion, quick recovery, less postoperative complication and shorter hospital stay. Proper extent of the myotomy may decrease the risk of subsequent gastroesophageal reflux in the postoperative period.
Objective To investigate short-term outcomes of robot-assisted Heller-Dor myotomy (RAHM-Dor) for achalasia of cardia and our learning curve experience. Methods The clinical data and recent follow-up results of 42 patients who received RAHM-Dor from November 2015 to January 2020 in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University were retrospectively analyzed, including 20 males and 22 females with a mean age of 40.8±18.4 years. ResultsDysphagia was the most common symptom, followed by heartburn and regurgitation. The mean operation time was 122.8±23.9 min. The mean blood loss was 47.5±32.7 mL. Two patients suffered mucosal injury, and successfully repaired by suturing during surgery. There was no esophageal fistula, conversion to an open operation or perioperative death in this series. The median length of hospital stay was 8 (6, 9) d. In all patients, the Stooler and Eckardt scores of postoperative 1, 6 and 12 months decreased compared to those of pre-operation (P<0.001). Conclusion RAHM-Dor is a safe and feasible avenue for the treatment of achalasia of cardia, and can achieve a satisfying short-term results. The learning curve shows a transition to the standard stage from the learning stage after 16-18 operations.