Achalasia cardia : short-term results of 40 Iraqi patients

Abstract EN

Background: Achalasia is an uncommon but not a rare a malady.

In Iraq, we lack true statistics about this condition.

Objective: Is to review the experience with trans-thoracic modified Heller operation for achalasia cardia in a major thoracic surgical centre in Iraq over a 4-year period.

Study design: a combined retrospective and prospective study.

Setting: Department of Thoracic Surgery in Baghdad Medical City/Baghdad/Iraq.

Patients: Forty patients (26 males and 14 females) with achalasia cardia who were admitted to the Department of Thoracic Surgery in Baghdad Medical City over a period of 4 years (2008 to 2012).

Methods: This study was ارا0ظ retrospective (20 cases) and prospective (20 cases); the information was collected from either patients, case sheets or obtained dirertly from patients, interviews.

In both situations, relevant demographic and clinical information was obtained.

The patients then were subjected to a standard diagnostic workup followed by preparation of patients for surgery.

A trans-thoracic modified Heller’s operation: e$ophagoc^liomyotoiii>') was done following a standard technique.

No anti-reflux procedure was added.

Follow up was done to evaluate results of surgery.

Results: 26 males (65%) and 14 females (35%) with a mean age of 26.6 year.

Patient؛) aged 20 -40 years constituted the majority (4?.5%).

The commonest presenting symptom was dysphagia reported in 39 patient؛؛ (75%).

Cucumber dilated esophagus (rat tail sign) was tire commonest appearance on contrast study found in 84% of studied patients.

Ten patients (7 females and 3 males) had dilation therapy initially which failed to improve their symptoms thus scheduled for surgery.

The remaining 30 patients were offered surgical ti'eatirteiit from the ؟tart; thus ultimately, operation was done to all 40 patients.

Good to excellent results after surgery were obtained !١٦ 35 patients (87.5%).