Impact of minimally invasive surgery on the treatment of benign esophageal disorders.
Thanks to the development of minimally invasive surgery, the last 20 years have witnessed a change in the treatment algorithm of benign esophageal disorders. Today a laparoscopic operation is the treatment of choice for esophageal achalasia and for most patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Because the pathogenesis of achalasia is unknown, treatment is palliative and aims to improve esophageal emptying by decreasing the functional obstruction at the level of the gastro-esophageal junction. The refinement of minimally invasive techniques accompanied by large, multiple randomized control trials with long-term outcome has allowed the laparoscopic Heller myotomy and partial fundoplication to become the treatment of choice for achalasia compared to endoscopic procedures, including endoscopic botulinum toxin injection and pneumatic dilatation. Patients with suspected gastroesophageal reflux need to undergo a thorough preoperative workup. After establishing diagnosis, treatment for gastroesophageal reflux should be individualized to patient characteristics and a decision about an operation made jointly between surgeon and patient. The indications for surgery have changed in the last twenty years. In the past, surgery was often considered for patients who did not respond well to acid reducing medications. Today, the best candidate for surgery is the patient who has excellent control of symptoms with proton pump inhibitors. The minimally invasive approach to antireflux surgery has allowed surgeons to control reflux in a safe manner, with excellent long term outcomes. Like achalasia and gastroesophageal reflux, the treatment of patients with paraesophageal hernias has also seen a major evolution. The laparoscopic approach has been shown to be safe, and durable, with good relief of symptoms over the long-term. The most significant controversy with laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair is the optimal crural repair. This manuscript reviews the evolution of these techniques.
['Bello|Brian|B|', 'Herbella|Fernando A|FA|', 'Allaix|Marco E|ME|', 'Patti|Marco G|MG|']
D000465:Algorithms D004931:Esophageal Achalasia D004935:Esophageal Diseases D004947:Esophagus D018662:Fundoplication D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux D006551:Hernia, Hiatal D006801:Humans D010535:Laparoscopy D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic D016896:Treatment Outcome
Esophageal achalasia Gastroesophageal reflux disease Laparoscopic Heller myotomy Hiatal hernia Laparoscopic fundoplication