Quality of life before and after laparoscopic Heller procedures--a Caribbean perspective.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the symptoms and quality of life before and after laparoscopic Heller myotomy within a Caribbean population.

Method: Sixteen patients who were treated by the same surgeon were polled. The procedure was laparoscopic Heller myotomy with or without concomitant fundoplication. A specifically constructed questionnaire that assessed symptomatology and the quality of life (via social and emotional functioning scores) was administered.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 38.4 years; 11 were female and 5 were male. The mean preoperative duration of symptoms was 5.5 years (range, 1-13). All patients complained of dysphagia (liquids and solids), odynophagia, and preoperative regurgitation. Follow-up was completed with a mean postoperative duration of 16.7 months. Overall, symptoms improved by an average of 71.2%; social and emotional functioning improved by an average of 42.2% (p < .001).

Conclusion: Laparoscopic Heller myotomy is extremely effective in improving the overall quality of life among achalasia patients within the Caribbean.