Achalasia and obesity: patient outcomes and impressions following laparoscopic Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication

Purpose The optimal management of achalasia in obese patients is unclear. For those who have undergone Heller myotomy and fundoplication, the long-term outcomes and their impressions following surgery are largely unknown. Methods A retrospective review of patients who underwent laparoscopic Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication (LHMDF) for achalasia was performed. From this cohort, Class 2 and 3 obese (BMI > 35 kg/m 2 ) patients were identified for short- and long-term outcome analysis. Results Between 2003 and 2015, 252 patients underwent LHMDF for achalasia, and 17 (7%) patients had BMI > 35 kg/m 2 . Pre-operative Eckardt scores varied from 2 to 9, and at short-term (2–4 week) follow-up, scores were 0 or 1. Ten (58%) patients had available long-term (2–144 months) follow-up data. Eckardt scores at this time ranged from 0 to 6. Symptom recurrence was worse for patients with BMI > 40 kg/m 2 compared to patients with BMI < 40 kg/m 2 . BMI was largely unchanged at long-term follow-up regardless of pre-intervention BMI. Most patients were satisfied with surgery but would have considered a combined LHMDF and weight-loss procedure had it been offered. Conclusion LHMDF for achalasia in obese patients is safe and effective in the short term. At long-term follow-up, many patients had symptom recurrence and experienced minimal weight loss. Discussing weight-loss surgery at the time LHMDF may be appropriate to ensure long-term achalasia symptom relief.