What is Heller myotomy?

Heller's myotomy has been developed as surgical treatment of Achalalasia, a rare condition in which it is evidenced by the lower esophagus known as cardia, cannot rest enough to allow food and drink to travel to the stomach. It consists of one large cut or several small cuts sliced ​​into cardia muscles. The form of Heller's myotomy, which uses smaller slices, is more recent and more popular because laparoscopic tools used to perform the procedure are less invasive and therefore lead to a lower risk and shorter recovery time for the patient. Surgical tools similar to the pipes are then stretched. The gas is then released into the abdominal cavity, so there is enough space for the surgeon to see and work in the abdomen. The camera is inserted into one of the surgical pipes, so the interior points can be displayed on the monitor. This procedure consists of one larger section that provides a reasonable approach to the esophagus. Once the esophagus is access, procedures continue in a similar way.

After finding the connection between the stomach and the esophagus, the surgeon is cut to the muscular ring that surrounds the cardia. This cut only passes through the external muscle layers of the esophagus, but is deep enough to weaken the muscles that controls the sphincter. The muscles that were once firmly pressed are now less resistant to movement.

As soon as the pressure on the esophagus is released, food and drink can freely enter the stomach. However, there is also an increased risk of sour reflux. This has been prevented, some surgeons may perform a procedure called Partial Fondoplication, in which part of the stomach is moved through the esophagus so that the acid cannot escape into the opening.

Heller's myotomy is named after Ernest Heller, a surgeon who invented this procedure. He made it for the first time in 1913.