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The surgical approach of cutting the cardia (lower esophageal sphincter or LES) to allow foods and liquids to pass to the stomach is known as Heller Myotomy. It is a laparoscopic procedure most often used to treat a rare disorder known as achalasia, in which the LES fails to relax normally, making it difficult for food and liquids to reach the stomach.
Earlier, the surgery was performed traditionally through an open approach, either through the chest (thoracotomy) or abdomen (laparotomy), but with the revolutionary advancement in the field of medicine, it has been substituted by a laparoscopic approach. This article will discuss in detail Heller Myotomy, its indications, procedure, benefits, and potential risks involved in the surgery.
Introduced in the year 1913 by Ernst Heller, this procedure aims to correct the abnormality occurring in the esophagus (food pipe connecting the throat to the stomach), where the muscles of the LES (lower esophageal sphincter) are cut, thereby allowing the food and liquids to pass into the stomach. LES is a ring of muscles at the bottom of the esophagus that allows food and liquids to pass into the stomach. Heller myotomy is often used to treat achalasia, a disorder that prevents the LES from relaxing and allowing food and liquids to pass into the stomach. Heller myotomy is done laparoscopically and uses a special medical device known as a laparoscope, a thin, long, flexible tube with a tiny camera and a light source at the end. This camera helps capture images internally and projects them on a large screen, guiding the surgeon in performing the surgery. Heller myotomy is a minimally invasive procedure, meaning minimal trauma and bleeding are involved during the surgery, with a quick recovery rate.
Heller myotomy is a surgical treatment recommended for achalasia. It is a condition when the muscles at the lower part of your esophagus do not allow food to enter your stomach. This occurs due to the damaged and injured nerves around your esophagus that prevent normal functioning, resulting in dysphagia (trouble swallowing), chest pain, heartburn, malnutrition, and considerable weight loss. If achalasia is left untreated, there may be a risk of developing esophageal cancer. Hence, surgeons recommend a Heller Myotomy, a minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery to treat achalasia.
Your surgeon may discuss the procedure with you to understand your expectations from the surgery.
Heller Myotomy is a minimally invasive procedure that may require you to stay in the hospital for 1 to 2 days. The procedure usually takes 3 to 4 hours to complete.
After the surgery, you will be kept in the recovery room and can expect the following:
Heller myotomy is a safe and effective procedure that helps relieve symptoms of achalasia that offers several benefits as an alternative to open surgery:
Benefits
Risks
As with any surgical procedure, Heller Myotomy poses the following risks post-operatively:
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