Poem Versus Laparoscopic Heller Myotomy in the Treatment of Esophageal Achalasia: A Case-Control Study from Two High Volume Centers Using the Propensity Score.

Background: POEM has recently had a widespread diffusion, aiming at being the treatment of choice for esophageal achalasia. The results of ongoing RCTs against laparoscopic myotomy are not available, yet. We, therefore, designed this propensity score (PS) case-control study with the aim of evaluating how POEM compares to the long-standing laparoscopic Heller myotomy + Dor fundoplication (LHD) and verifying if it may really replace the latter as the first-line treatment for achalasia.

Extending Myotomy Both Downward and Upward Improves the Final Outcome in Manometric Pattern III Achalasia Patients.

Achalasia is currently classified in three manometric patterns. Pattern III is the least common pattern, and reportedly correlated with the worst outcome after all available treatments. We aimed to investigate the final outcome in pattern III achalasia patients after classic laparoscopic myotomy (CLM) as compared with a myotomy lengthened both downward and upward (long laparoscopic myotomy [LLM]).

Lessons learned from 227 biological meshes used for the surgical treatment of ventral abdominal defects.

Purpose: The advantages of biological meshes for ventral hernia repair are still under debate. Given the high financial cost, the proper indications for biological meshes should be clarified to restrict their use to properly selected patients.

Methods: A retrospective database was instituted to register all cases of abdominal wall defect treated with biological meshes from 1/2010 to 3/2016.

A Thousand and One Laparoscopic Heller Myotomies for Esophageal Achalasia: a 25-Year Experience at a Single Tertiary Center.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the long-term outcome of laparoscopic Heller-Dor (LHD) myotomy to treat achalasia at a single high-volume institution in the past 25 years.

Methods: Patients undergoing LHD from 1992 to 2017 were prospectively registered in a dedicated database. Those who had already undergone surgical or endoscopic myotomy were ruled out.

Cervical Esophageal Cancer Treatment Strategies: A Cohort Study Appraising the Debated Role of Surgery.

Background: Few studies have examined optimal treatment specifically for cervical esophageal carcinoma. This study evaluated the outcome of three common treatment strategies with a focus on the debated role of surgery.

Methods: All patients with cervical esophageal cancer treated at a single center were identified and their outcomes analyzed in terms of morbidity, mortality, and recurrence according to the treatment they received, i.