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Ann Thorac Surg 2003;76:1706-1710
© 2003 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

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Original article: general thoracic

Short-segment colon interposition for end-stage achalasia

^a Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan

Accepted for publication May 12, 2003.

^* Address reprint requests to Dr Huang, Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No 201, Section 2, Shih-Pai Rd, Taipei, Taiwan.
e-mail: mhhuang{at}vghtpe.gov.tw

BACKGROUND: The reoperative procedures for achalasia vary. Repeat esophagomyotomy with or without antireflux procedure and esophageal resection of varying extent with reconstruction using stomach, jejunum, or colon have been reported. In this series, we have retrospectively reviewed our experience and reported the results with limited distal esophagectomy and short-colon interposition in the treatment of patients with recurrent symptoms of achalasia after prior failed esophagomyotomy.

METHODS: Nine consecutive patients (5 men, 4 women; 27 to 74 years of age; mean, 52 years) with recurrent symptoms of achalasia and at least one failed prior esophagomyotomy underwent gastric cardiectomy, distal esophagectomy, and replacement with an at least 30-cm short-colon interposition through a left thoracoabdominal approach. Morbidity of the procedure and the length of hospital stay were recorded. The symptomatic evaluation, ability to have a meal, and overall patient satisfaction after the operations were assessed.

RESULTS: Follow-up results were available in 8 patients. One patient had intestinal strangulation with graft failure 3 days after operation. Takedown of the graft and end-to-side esophagogastrostomy were successful. There was no mortality. Outcome assessment was completed at a median of 6 years (range, 1 to 12 years). Overall patient satisfaction was good in 6 patients, and fair and worse in 1 patient each. Most of the patients could have regular meals. Two patients had intermittent abdominal fullness after meals. Six of these 8 patients would have the operation again.

CONCLUSIONS: Limited distal esophagectomy with short-colon interposition through a left thoracoabdominal approach is a safe and feasible alternative to near total esophagectomy in patients with achalasia who have prior failed esophagomyotomy. Improved alimentary function was observed in most of the patients after operation, which resulted in a better quality of life.

This article has been cited by other articles:

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				J. H. Gorman III, R. C. Gorman, and E. F. Rosato Surgical Therapy for End-Stage Achalasia Ann. Thorac. Surg., February 1, 2005; 79(2): 749 - 749. [Full Text] [PDF]

				H.-S. Hsu and M.-H. Huang Surgical Therapy for End-Stage Achalasia: Reply Ann. Thorac. Surg., February 1, 2005; 79(2): 749 - 750. [Full Text] [PDF]