Complications of laparoscopic treatment of esophageal achalasia in children.

Background/purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and management of the complications that occurred in some children who underwent laparoscopic Heller's esophagocardiomyotomy in the authors' institutions.

Methods: Between March 1993 and October 1998, the files of all the children with achalasia who underwent laparoscopic Heller's esophagocardiomyotomy in a community hospital in Naples, Italy, and a private hospital in Paris, France, were reviewed. A 5-port technique was used associating Heller's esophagocardiomyotomy to an antireflux surgical mechanism (Dor's or Toupet's) in all cases. Intra- and postoperative complications, as well as the postoperative outcome, were evaluated.

Results: Ten laparoscopic Heller's esophagocardiomyotomies were performed in 5 girls and 5 boys with achalasia. Age ranged between 2 and 13 years. Mean operating time was 120 minutes. Hospital stay ranged between 3 and 41 days. Complications were recorded in 3 patients: in 2 an esophageal mucosal perforation and in 1 a prolonged dysphagia. Two of these complications occurred in the last patients operated on. Follow-up varied from 6 months to 6 years. All children were free of symptoms.

Conclusions: The results show that laparoscopic Heller's esophagocardiomyotomy in children is a feasible procedure. Assessment of mucosal integrity immediately after the myotomy must be performed. Complications can happen even if the operation is performed by expert laparoscopic surgeons.