Treatment of persistent pulmonary air leaks using endobronchial valves.

Background: Prolonged pulmonary air leaks are a significant source of frustration for patients and physicians. When conventional therapy fails, an alternative to prolonged chest tube drainage or surgery is needed. Bronchoscopic blockage of a bronchus can be performed with the hope of accelerating closure of the air leak by reducing the flow of air through the leak.

Factors affecting quality of life after minimally invasive Heller myotomy for achalasia.

The effect of prior nonoperative treatment, type of fundoplication, and surgical approach on quality of life after minimally invasive Heller myotomy (MIHM) for achalasia in not known. MIHM for achalasia was performed in 105 patients (primary 102; redo 3). Sixty-five patients had prior nonoperative treatment (dilations in 41; botulinum toxin injections in 13; dilations and botulinum toxin injections in 11).