Zlatko

[Guest guest]

Zlatko wrote: " You see as they say the best method for curing achalasia

for longest period of time is Heller myotomy and it is 100 years old. It

seldom lasts over 5 years if successfully performed. "

" Seldom? " That is not true. Have a look at some recent studies on the

long-term success of Heller myotomy for achalasia:

http://tinyurl.com/5ptpey

(That points to the following URL:)

http://scholar.google.com/scholar?as_q=myotomy+achalasia+long-term & num=10 & btnG=S\

earch+Scholar & as_epq= & as_oq= & as_eq= & as_occt=title & as_sauthors= & as_publication= & a\

s_ylo=2003 & as_yhi=2008 & as_allsubj=all & hl=en & lr=

A typical finding from long-term studies on laparoscopic Heller myotomy:

" After a median follow-up of 14 years, 84.5% of patients had a good or

excellent relief of symptoms, and clinical scores as well as resting

pressures of the esophageal body and LES were reduced compared with

preoperative values. "

From another study:

" Satisfactory results were higher than 90% up to 5 years. From that time

on results gradually decreased to a 75% rate after 15 years due to

either heartburn or dysphagia. "

I would not describe 84.5% or 75% as " seldom. "

-- in PA